A View From Above on Things That Make The World Go 'Round
James Donaldson on Mental Health – What is Burnout?
Posted on by
READ LATER - DOWNLOAD THIS POST AS PDF >> CLICK HERE <<
Most everyone has felt burnout at some point in their work life. You may know when you feel it. Maybe you’re feeling constantly overwhelmed, way too busy, unmotivated and unproductive — all at the same time. Burnout syndrome has been around for years, first described in the 1970s.1 But only recently has workplace burnout become widely discussed as a very real (and problematic) phenomenon. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is a result of ongoing workplace stress that’s not successfully managed. The 3 characteristics of work burnout are:2
Mental exhaustion or lack of energy
Increased mental distance or negativity about one’s job
There are lots of factors that might contribute to occupational burnout. For example, high-stress jobs and jobs that make it difficult to balance work and personal life may be more likely to cause burnout. That said, it can happen to anyone in any profession. And it can happen quickly or over time. A handful of workplace scenarios can slowly add up to cause full-blown burnout — too many deadlines, team conflict, lack of support — you name it. Each person has different triggers for burnout, including:3
Not being able to control your work schedule, workload or resources
Feeling uncertain about your role and responsibilities at work
A lack of empowerment or self-autonomy in your role
Doing work that’s monotonous or unchallenging
What are the signs and symptoms of burnout?
It’s important to keep in mind that burnout isn’t a medical condition, but rather a state of physical or emotional exhaustion. That said, the effects of burnout can carry over into other parts of life outside working hours. Signs of burnout show up differently for everyone. There’s a handful of common consequences. If it’s not properly addressed, you might start experiencing:3
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
For many of us, our jobs are an important part of our lives — but it’s important to make sure our work life doesn’t pose a risk to our overall health. While it’s often easier said than done, it’s crucial to combat job burnout as soon as it’s recognized, and before its effects get in the way of your life, health and happiness. Here are some tips that may help you handle burnout:
Get support: Talk to family, friends and co-workers. If your company has an employee assistance program, reach out to get personalized support.
Living in a state of constant stress and exhaustion is unsustainable. And it can have negative long-term effects on your overall well-being. Directly addressing burnout may help resolve the symptoms and improve your overall well-being.
Who can I talk to about burnout?
If you’re concerned that you may have burnout or concerned about its effects, consider talking with a health care professional. Your primary care provider (PCP) or a mental health specialist can help. They’ll be able to offer a more personalized approach and find possible mental health resources to help address your specific burnout factors and symptoms.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org/chat for 24-hour, toll-free, confidential support and prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. For TTY users, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
If you feel that you or a loved one are experiencing signs of addiction, call the confidential helpline to get support, guidance on treatment options, help finding a network provider and answers to your questions.
Get help with crisis intervention, information and referrals to local services for victims of domestic violence and those calling on their behalf.
Please follow and like us:
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
Related
READ LATER - DOWNLOAD THIS POST AS PDF >> CLICK HERE <<
