Although we always talk about people with burnout, we rarely refer to those around them.
- How can we help someone suffering from burnout?
- Is there anything we can do to make you feel better?
The first thing we need to know is to identify that what they are suffering from is work exhaustion.
What signs will alert us to burnout? As we have discussed, the most pronounced emotional symptoms are emotional exhaustion, cynicism (distance, negativity, irritability), and inefficiency (feelings of incompetence, unproductivity).
Also, if we know that this is a person who tends to live under constant stress, seeing these symptoms in them will give us a clear message of burnout.
How can you help? – Here are six tips on how to do so.
Let them know you are there for them:
Even if the person is not ready to accept help or admit that they are exhausted, opening the conversation by letting them know that we are there for them without being pushy or "meddling" will send them a message of love and presence.
Simply offering them trust can go a long way toward helping them feel less alone. They will open up when they are ready.
Ask how you can help:
- Asking what you can do to help shows a level of sincerity and closeness that will resonate with the person and be appreciated.
They can be very simple things. Beyond the action itself, it is the intention and the gesture that will help him.
Validate their feelings:
While this person suffers from exhaustion, everyone else at work remains the same and continues to try to work as hard as before.
Guide them toward professionals and resources:
Excessive stress can cause all kinds of problems. If the person complains of constant fatigue or trouble sleeping, encouraging them to see a doctor may help.
They will make recommendations and give you expert, quality advice on burnout that is necessary for the healing process.
Listen without judging:
Sometimes, when we are not the ones experiencing burnout, we can underestimate what the other person is going through.
It is extremely important that any judgmental thoughts or thoughts that minimize the situation do not come across in our gestures or our voice. We are there to make them feel safe and supported.
Everyone deals with exhaustion differently, and you never know what someone else might really be going through.
Do not give advice "automatically":
Our natural instinct is to help our loved ones and friends when they feel depressed. But this is not the time to start talking about our "knowledge."
Giving advice makes the conversation focus on us, and that's not what the person needs right now. They need to be heard and validated, not sit quietly and listen.
Wanting to help our loved ones recover from burnout is a wonderful and noble effort. However, we must take it slowly, knowing that things will work out over time. Let's just remember to take care of ourselves so we don't end up feeling exhausted in the process!
