Work pressures drain the mental and physical energy of employees
Expert: Job burnout goes beyond fatigue to a loss of motivation and achievement
Amman4 min read
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An employee may continue to go to work daily, complete their tasks, and fulfill their responsibilities, yet feel that their energy is gradually declining and that the enthusiasm that once drove them to work has begun to fade, to the point where rest and vacations are no longer enough to restore their usual vitality.
This condition points to one of the potential effects of continuous exposure to work stress, known as "burnout," which is not linked to fatigue alone, but may extend to include psychological, physical, and emotional exhaustion, detachment from work, and a diminished sense of achievement.
In this context, Dr. Fida Abu Al-Khair, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at Jordan University of Science and Technology, defined burnout as a state of physical, psychological, and emotional exhaustion resulting from continuous work stress, especially when a person feels that work demands exceed their resources and ability to cope with them.
She added in a statement to "Alrai" that this condition may manifest through a set of signs, most notably constant exhaustion even after getting some rest, difficulty concentrating and making decisions, and a loss of motivation and interest in work, in addition to emotional burnout, irritability, and a feeling of reduced achievement despite putting in great effort.
She explained that observing these signs helps one pay attention to the impact that continuous professional stress can have on an individual's life, especially when work demands interfere with their personal life and limit their ability to rest and restore their balance.
Abu Al-Khair indicated that factors contributing to burnout include increased workloads and time pressure, working in an unsupportive environment, high expectations that the individual sets for themselves or that others impose on them, as well as an imbalance between work and personal life.
A lack of appreciation and fair rewards, or limited ability for the employee to control their tasks and make decisions related to their work, can also lead to increased stress, especially when these conditions persist without sufficient space for adaptation or support.
Facing these pressures is not limited to trying to complete more tasks or increasing working hours, as dealing with them requires reconsidering priorities, setting clear boundaries between professional responsibilities and personal life, and paying attention to physical and psychological needs.
Steps to restore balance
Abu Al-Khair emphasized the importance of setting priorities realistically, learning to refuse additional tasks when they exceed one's capacity, and organizing time and setting clear boundaries for working hours, which helps reduce the overlap of professional responsibilities with private life.
She pointed out the importance of allocating regular time for enjoyable and relaxing activities, maintaining good sleep and physical activity, and utilizing breathing and relaxation exercises, as these practices play a role in supporting the management of daily stress.
She added that positive communication with family, friends, and colleagues, expressing feelings, and reflective writing are ways that can help an individual understand what they are going through and deal with it better, rather than continuing to endure stress in isolation from others.
In a related context, the role of the work environment stands out in helping employees restore their balance by providing support, considering the volume of burdens assigned to them, fostering appreciation and fairness, and providing appropriate space for participation in decisions related to their tasks.
When does seeking a specialist become a necessity?
Abu Al-Khair drew attention to the importance of seeking help from a mental health professional when symptoms persist for a long time without improvement, when they clearly affect job performance and personal relationships, or when they are accompanied by constant anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, or frequent physical complaints.
Furthermore, feeling unable to deal with stress independently calls for seeking appropriate support, rather than considering constant exhaustion as an inevitable part of work commitment or professional success.
These indicators confirm the importance of treating mental health in the work environment as an essential part of quality of life and professional continuity, as success is not measured by a person's ability to continue working regardless of the cost, but also by their ability to maintain their health, balance, and performance in the long term.
