Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by chronic stress; this can be related to work, study, or even personal and familial responsibilities. When someone you care about experiences burnout, your support as a caregiver can make a significant difference in their recovery journey.
It’s important to catch burnout early on as untreated burnout can easily develop into more concerning mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. If you’ve found yourself wondering how to help someone with burnout, keep reading below to find some answers.
If you’re unsure how to recognize burnout, here are some key signs and symptoms to look out for:
What to do in order to help someone with burnout depends on your role in their life, and what the causes of burnout are for them. For example, if you are a family member, and their burnout is coming from their work, it can be difficult to intervene. However, your caring presence and willingness to help can make a real difference in the ongoing journey to recovery.
The first step can be simply to offer a shoulder to lean on. It is important to show empathy and understanding by listening without judgment. This includes acknowledging their feelings and validating their experiences.
Remember that not everyone wants to hear ‘solutions’ or ‘why’ this is happening – if someone is experiencing burnout it is likely that they will blame themselves for whatever suggestions you might have.
It is also key to refrain from pushing them to ‘pack it in’ or ‘snap out of it’. Recovering from burnout and finding balance in life takes time, and is difficult to do. Understanding that burnout is a state that develops over time and not a personal failure is crucial for supporting someone effectively.
You might be thinking that’s all very well and good, but what can I do to help someone recover from burnout? The most practical step you can take is helping with tasks. Those with burnout often struggle to delegate to others, so taking some work on yourself to lighten their workload can make a big difference.
This can be as simple as doing the dishes, or cooking dinner for them. Be sure you encourage them to take breaks when they can, and offer them distractions when they do make the time. Engaging them in activities that are novel, exciting, or relaxing can help to turn the gears in their brains off for a short time.
The ultimate key is to check-in with them regularly. Reaching out and letting your loved one know that you care goes a long way to providing comfort and reassurance. This also gives them multiple chances to speak up and ask for help themselves.
Asking for help sometimes needs to go beyond the family or friend circle and needs to involve professional support. A psychologist or mental health professional is the best person to directly address the symptoms and root causes for those suffering from burnout. They will be able to provide skills and resources that not only support your loved one in their recovery but also prevent the burnout from occurring in the future.
For someone who feels overwhelmed both physically and mentally, a support group can also be beneficial in showing them they’re not alone in their struggle. Professional support can help address any underlying health conditions that might be contributing to or exacerbated by burnout.
Some providers, like Clinic Les Alpes, also involve the family and friends of those suffering from burnout to ensure that the whole social unit is part of the long-term recovery. If you believe that you, or one of your loved ones, would benefit from professional help with burnout, please feel free to contact us for more information.
Burnout is a sensitive issue, and your approach to someone suffering from it can make a big difference to their wellbeing and how safe they feel with you. Make sure that you do:
The key to comforting someone involves providing them with a space that feels safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental. Ultimately you want to aim to provide a relationship where the person suffering from burnout feels they can express themselves and be received with love and understanding.
The most important step in doing this is to validate their experience – express that you understand why they feel this way, it is understandable why they feel this way, and you want to do anything you can to help them in their recovery.
When someone is experiencing occupational burnout, simply having a person who understands the impact on both their work and personal life can provide immense relief.
It can be difficult to see a friend struggling at work, and often we can feel quite powerless or helpless to intervene when it comes to the question of work. Perhaps you have even expressed your concern and have been rebuffed or told not to worry.
Though it can seem frustrating, it’s important that the person suffering from burnout feels that they have a consistent and safe space to come back to in you and your friendship. Take some time to attempt to integrate the tools and techniques that are outlined above, and keep in mind our recommendations for what you should and shouldn’t say below.
For someone experiencing job burnout, understanding work-life boundaries can be particularly challenging. As a caregiver or friend, you can help them reflect on how to establish healthier work practices.
Burnout is a sensitive issue, and your approach to someone suffering from it can make a big difference to their wellbeing and how safe they feel with you. Make sure that you do:
Some statements are likely to only make burnout worse, even if our intention is only to help. Make sure that you avoid:
Burnout is a serious matter, and can affect individuals on a physical, emotional, and psychological level. It is important to keep an eye on the potential symptoms and encourage those suffering from it to seek professional support before it develops into another more chronic illness.
When wondering how to help someone with burnout, the key will always be to approach with compassion, understanding, and care.
