Building a Healthy Work-Life Balance to Prevent and Manage Stress Levels – Fran Lugo

“Often, dedicating ourselves completely to what we love the most is not always the best thing for us.”

Many times, we find ourselves working on things we are passionate about, which are our reason for getting up, our economic livelihood, our professional goal, and with which we find a sense of purpose, until one day it stops being so.

The word ‘Burnout' describes an inadequate way of coping with chronic stress.  According to American psychologist Christina Malach, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal performance are the main features of this phenomenon.

There is a point at which too much contact with service recipients produces negative attitudes and behaviors. The disorder is also known as a psychological disorder that arises from chronic stress.

It has been shown that there are a lot of things that can lead to “professional burnout,” such as the amount of work, the feeling of not having control, the lack of reward for the work you do, the lack of community or integration, little or no equity, and the lack of a good match.

Also, it is necessary to do more with fewer people, which has led us to increase the workload. To this, we must take work home.

Having unclear leadership roles and a lack of autonomy can lead to constantly changing priorities or having them clear. This can lead to a dysfunctional environment that challenges mental and emotional stability. Add to this, constant efforts that are not recognized.

The work environments where you work daily are another factor. The quality of relationships, the sense of belonging, and the cohesion of the same can make the difference between being a platform for growth and motivation or a force that makes your person even smaller.

The worker is affected by inequalities and lack of justice, altering his mental and emotional balance.  An effort and commitment diminish when a worker's values don't coincide with those of the company.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is likely that you need to take a break.

• Tiredness and exhaustion most of the time.
• Illnesses that become more and more frequent.
• Constant headaches or muscle aches.
• Change in appetite or sleeping habits.
• Feeling of failure and doubt.
• Feeling of helplessness, entrapment, and defeat.
• Detachment, feeling alone in the world.
• Loss of motivation.
• Increasingly cynical and negative outlook.
• Decreased satisfaction and sense of accomplishment.
• Indifference to responsibilities.
• Procrastination, constant procrastination to get things done.
• Resorting to food, drugs, or alcohol to cope.
• Taking out their frustrations on others.
• Missing work or arriving late and leaving early.

Pay attention to your body and behavior. They can tell you if you are burned out.

What we enjoy the most can be the engine of our life, but excess may not be the best for us. 

It is time to observe and build healthy limits to achieve the best performance in all areas of our life.