Avoid and treat burnout

● The pressure to succeed at work at all costs can end in burnout, and it takes more than finding a balance between work and home to rebuild your energy levels.

“Managing burnout is not about regaining balance but rather about making choices for ourselves, choices that don’t conflict but build daily habits that support our being,” says Nicola Tager, global head of Investec Careers and Employee Experience.

“You can only give what you have. Dealing with burnout is about taking care of yourself. The pressure to succeed is a burden many of us carry as we aim to meet expectations and aspirations in our personal and professional circles.”

She advises:

● Burnout can happen to anyone. It is the result of trying to be resilient despite what our bodies are telling us;

● Not all cases of burnout end in hospital; it can present in different ways and requires us to pay attention to our bodies;

● Each week we may need to adjust our list of focus areas to accommodate different tasks and commitments; and

● Wellbeing must be viewed as an organisational imperative as it is central to helping individuals build and maintain their energy levels.