One of the most popular Facebook posts I have written, has been about burnout, it received the most likes and comments. So, I thought I would create my first blog around this topic. Today’s topic is around exhaustion and burnt-out, but I feel guilty, especially if I don’t come and help out.
What Does Burnout Look Like?
On reflection, I recognised some of the symptoms of burnout over the preceding 9 months. I can concur again with Upson where she says that Burnout is a process and not an event. I was dragging myself to work; had become quite irritated, felt stuck and started to feel resentful towards the women I was looking after. Upson (2004) says that ‘Burnout shows itself primarily as extreme physical depletion of energy not restored by rest’. I can remember feeling quite tired for months on end and even though I would take a 2-week holiday it was never enough to restore the balance, and I would be back in the cycle again of being depleted. Other people can experience symptoms like headaches, abdominal cramps or wind, mouth ulcers; diarrhoea, skin rashes, persistent colds, chest pain, breathing difficulties and even panic attacks.
The Burnout Messages and Its Effects
Wherever we look or turn these days, we are constantly hearing about burnout. It doesn’t seem to matter what profession you are in; burnout is a common topic. In healthcare, we are constantly hearing messages about an under resourced health system; with health professionals being stretched beyond themselves to help make up for the shortfall. I have heard from many of my midwifery colleagues working extra hours to help their colleagues who are off sick, or there is an increased workload and extra resources are needed. With the relentless pressure that many of my health professional colleagues are under, many are choosing to walk away from their careers.
Many of my co-workers tell me they are ‘exhausted and burnt out’ but feel guilty if they don’t come in and help their colleagues when help is needed. While I’m all for helping my workmates, there are times where I know I need to step away and recharge my own batteries, otherwise I won’t be any good to anyone and I would be compromising my own midwifery practice and that of my colleagues as well as my own health. I guess that is the question, how do we balance our own needs for rest and recuperation against an under resourced health system which keeps demanding more of our time and resources?
Having burnt out before, I’m keen not to go down that path again. Here are some practical questions that I found helpful in answering whether I should come and do extra hours/balanced with where I am at right now.?
Ask yourself these questions: before you say ‘yes’ to coming into work:
How many hours have I worked over these last 7 days? How many extra shifts or time have I worked this week? How many nights have I had of broken sleep or been out of my bed because of work?
How many hours am I due to work over the next week?
How am I feeling right now, do I have the physical and mental capacity to help or am I exhausted?
Have I got things scheduled for other commitments, like family, time off, catch up with friends that I will have to postpone?
Do I just need to rest and recuperate?
Making the Decision
In burnout, it’s easy to lose perspective on life and work. It is also easy to feel burdened by responsibilities and pressures where it clouds our judgements. Thinking about my responses to the above questions, enables me to see work in a clear light and gain perspective. If red flags are being raised to any of those questions, the decision becomes clear to me that I need to step away.
I welcome your feedback. If after reading this article and you would like to talk more, please PM The Treasure Chest, or email lynnie@thetreasurechest.co.nz For more information about me, please see www.thetreasurechest.co.nz