Burnout Therapy | Navigating Work Stress
Between tight deadlines, increasing responsibilities, and the constant pressure to perform, many individuals experience burnout at some point in their careers. Indeed, 7.5% of employed Canadians took time off because of stress or mental health between 2022 and 2023. About 1 in 4 workers report feeling burnout.
That means, that in your workplace, many individuals are facing and struggling unhealthy levels of work stress and burn out.
Signs of Burnout
While not a formal diagnosis, burnout, and work-related stress can cause significant mental and physical concerns. The American Psychological Association defines burnout as an individual’s response to a systemic problem.
That is, it is what happens when our workplaces and workload exceed what is reasonable, feasible and healthy. Some key signs of burnout are:
Reduced Productivity
Struggling to be as productive or get your workday started
You may feel like you’re working harder, but achieving less
Cynical Outlook on Work
Feeling detached from your job
Developing a negative attitude towards your responsibilities, your coworkers, clients or yourself
Constant Exhaustion
Feeling drained no matter how much sleep you get
Feeling emotional and/or physical fatigue, making it difficult to get through the day
Emotional Depletion
Feeling frustrated, tired of going to work or struggling to deal with other people at work
Finding it hard to care anymore
Being irritable and less able to cope with the daily grind
Physical Symptoms
Chronic or prolonged stress can impact our body
Changes in sleep, appetite, headaches or generally feeling unwell warrant your attention
Coping with Work-Related Stress
While burnout can feel overwhelming, there are stress management techniques that can help support a sustained recovery. Here are some workplace stress management tips and burnout recovery strategies:
Assertive Communication & Setting Boundaries at Work
Building a skill set around how to communicate when you know what you want to say, but aren’t sure how to say it or are not heard. Learn to say no when your workload becomes too heavy and set clear boundaries around work hours.
Techniques to Deal with Being Overwhelmed
While you may usually have great problem-solving skills, when we are burnt out, we sometimes forget to put those into use. Prioritize tasks and break them into smaller, manageable steps.
Use tools like calendars or task management apps to stay on top of deadlines. Together, we can target specific strategies to have in place for when the workload overwhelms you.
Seeking Support from Colleagues
Talking about your feelings with a trusted colleague can help provided we are able to remain professional and respectful. Sometimes, sharing with somebody in the same situation can offer valuable insight.
Therapist Support for Burnout
A therapist can provide you with tools and strategies to cope with work stress in a healthy way and therapy for stress is a valuable resource. Not only can we work on addressing your current situation, but we can work on preventing burnout in the future.
Practicing Self-Care Activities
During periods of burnout, we tend to neglect ourselves or think “it won’t help” to take time for myself. Even small moments of selfcare make a difference and it can look different for each of us.
Seeking Burnout Counselling in Calgary
If you’re experiencing burnout, a therapist can help you process your emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, and regain a sense of balance in your life.
When searching for a therapist in Calgary, it’s important to find someone you feel comfortable with and who specializes in work-related stress or burnout. Check our blog post about finding the right therapist!
Does WCB Cover Burnout Counselling?
If your burnout is related to a workplace injury or psychological stress due to work conditions, you may be wondering if Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) covers therapy for burnout. The honest answer is that it depends and there are a lot of factors that determine whether burnout would fit within your employer’s WCB policy.
WCB does provide coverage for psychological injuries directly related to work. If you’ve experienced significant stress at work, you can check with WCB to see if your condition qualifies. Many therapists (including myself) offer direct billing to WCB for sessions related to work-related stress or psychological injuries. We also accept insurance from various providers, making it easier for you to access the support you need without the financial burden.
For more information on what WCB covers, visit the official WCB Alberta page on psychological injuries.
Conclusion
Burnout is a serious condition that can have a significant impact on your health and well-being. By recognizing the signs of burnout early and seeking therapy, you can regain control of your life and work towards a healthier, more balanced future.
If you're in Calgary or Alberta and are ready to take the next step, I’m here to help. Contact my office today to schedule a consultation and start your journey to recovery from occupational burnout.