Loneliness at work can worsen burnout
If you find yourself stuck in cycles of loneliness and exhaustion, it's important to prioritise making connections and finding fulfilment in your work.
Stressed, overwhelmed, dissatisfied, exhausted: these are all common emotions associated with burnout. But in discussions about losing passion for work, there is one feeling that most people ignore: loneliness.
Loneliness is on the rise among office workers globally and it may be the main reason why many people feel frustrated and bored at work.
Many people confuse “burnout” with “stress,” but the two are not the same. Burnout can be understood as “a particular type of work-related stress – a state of physical or mental exhaustion accompanied by a diminished sense of accomplishment and loss of personal identity.” This will happen if you frequently feel like your daily work doesn't align with your purpose and values.
When you're feeling exhausted, your best friends at work can come to your rescue and bring you a little comfort in your 9 to 5 life. The real problem arises when we feel dissatisfied with our jobs or important work relationships. In this case, we can get stuck in a vicious cycle of exhaustion and loneliness.
If you find yourself stuck in this cycle of loneliness and exhaustion, it's important to prioritise making connections and feeling fulfilled at work. And here are the best tips on how to deal with burnout and loneliness in the workplace.
1. Determine your purpose
In theory, we are rewarded with a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment after working hard for a few hours. If not, you may need to reassess your values. It's important to stay true to your roots. "Why do I do this job? Why do I get into this field? What do I hope to achieve in this job and role?" These questions can help you remember your purpose and gain momentum moving forward.
Once you identify your purpose, you can take strategic steps to allow yourself to do more of the things you love in your daily work. For example, if leadership makes you feel fulfilled, you could offer to coach more meetings, ask about a training program that could help fill a skills gap, or offer to take on an executive role. higher in corporate events.
2. Discuss with your superiors about your job aspirations in accordance with your goals
Depending on where you are in your career, you may need to ask your boss for help aligning your job requirements with your goals. If you think you're going to do a certain type of job, but then your job responsibilities change or you're doing things that barely keep you interested in your job, it's unlikely you'll get a job. can concentrate completely.
A good manager will help you think of ways to focus more on your tasks, and they will do whatever they can so you can do your job proudly every day. They can even help you switch teams within the company if another area of expertise is better suited to your goals. Don't be afraid to speak up!
Feeling lonely and disconnected at work can also lead to burnout.
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3. Set small achievable goals at work
Let's face it: not all managers are willing (or able) to adjust your job title. If you can't, you should set small daily goals for yourself. We often wait until the annual review to evaluate our performance, but for most people, this process is too long. Setting small, achievable goals can also help you stick to them and achieve success. Although your superiors are very busy and may not be able to fully grasp your daily workload, they certainly always know most of what you are doing and give detailed evaluations of even the smallest initiatives from you.
Workplace friendships are key to helping you overcome burnout and can provide the benefits of a casual work environment.
5. Evaluate the things that make you feel calm and centered
You see, we live in a world that tells us the only way to relax is through meditation, jogging, acupuncture, and journaling. The truth is that only you really know what will help you relax after a hard day at work. If you know fresh air is good for you but are worried about moving, doing so will only add to your stress and not ease your burden.
Choosing an activity you're truly passionate about can give you a brief respite from the vicious cycle of exhaustion and loneliness. So consider doing activities that bring you joy.
6. Stay connected to others outside of work
If working hours don't improve your status, relationships outside of work will become very important. Seize every opportunity to meet and celebrate with others. Every time you attend, you should be full of energy and enthusiastic participation.
Invest your time and energy in surrounding yourself with people who make you feel like you can be yourself, who understand you on a deeper level, and who support you in the good times and bad. hard. Even superficial connections can be useful, and over time, as you share more experiences with each other, social connections will become closer.
7. Colleagues are very important, don't forget to connect at work
Go out for lunch or coffee with co-workers at least once a week. When facing difficult times at work, workplace friendships are key to helping you get through them and can give you the benefits of a normal work environment.
While you may initially feel like these workplace friendships are necessary, give them a chance. Before long, you'll probably be exchanging messages with coworkers and complaining about why meetings take so long.
