Burnout: I can get out of bed, but I drink to kill the anxiety I experience at work after work.
We’ve all been there. Either it’s a job we dislike, a terrible boss, or simply too much work. Burnout is a major factor for the millennial generation and it’s making us miserable. There’s a severe lack of work-life balance and for those of us salaried employees, we’re often expected to answer calls, texts, and other problems, way outside of our working hours.
Hold up, guys. I’ve got the fix. No need to continue reading. A former professor that studied burnout handed me the cure 5 years back: Quit your job! That’s the number one way to end burnout. There’s a lot of research on it and this suggestion is legit. Quit my job? I’d love to, but my trust fund never came through. As much as I’d like to travel around the world and not work, there’s this thing called money. The workaholic culture is so problematic that it’s making us struggle to maintain a work-life balance. This in turn makes us anxious, which leads to losing sleep, stomach problems, and malaise in general.
Surely, other generations have faced burnout? Without a doubt. It’s not a situation unique to Millennials, but it’s more relevant to our generation and the Gen-Xers. There’s one major change that’s happened in the last 10 years. A lot of offices don’t have landline phones anymore. Everyone’s issued a cell phone and they’re indirectly or “encouraged” to answer it throughout the day and night. While I don’t mind answering my work cell 30 minutes after I’m off or answering a text, I don’t always do it. Your boss might not like this, but if you’re a 9-5er, there’s almost no reason you should be answering after 5. If you work in mental health like me, you’ll have to occasionally respond to a crisis after hours. Again, I’m okay with that. The problem therein lies with a constant expectation of answering the phone well after business hours or over the weekend.
What can you do? Start talking to your coworkers - and not the company-loving Dwights that bend over backwards. Ask them if they have experienced similar issues and their work-life balance. Some bosses might listen to you as an individual, but likely not. It’s about profits and your work-life balance doesn’t really matter to El Hefe. As long as they’re getting rich at your expense, there’s not an issue for them. If you get a few people on board, especially managers, you can make a huge difference. While you’re not directly unionizing, there is strength in numbers. Start an email or petition with the support of your fellow workers. Let them know this is unacceptable.
What if I can’t organize with my coworkers? I’m too anxious and don’t want to get fired. Do what you can to improve your life outside of the workplace. Try drinking less, do yoga, meditate, and find some hobbies. If you don’t drink, try reducing the amount of time you spend watching TV shows. Try separating yourself from technology and try reading. Start answering your work cell with less frequency. Maybe your boss’ll take the hint. You generate profits for the company, so chances are you’re not going to get fired for taking a long lunch or not immediately answering your work phone.
Burnout is a complex topic and my suggestions aren’t perfect. It’s an issue that will continue to affect Millennials and it’s not going away anytime soon. Try your best to recognize what specifically at work makes you struggle. Try and determine what factors outside of work cause you to be miserable at work. Be mindful, analyze your behaviors, and most importantly, engage in new social activities, hobbies and self-care. I wish I had a real cure to share with my constituents, but trying new things, organizing, and self-care are the best suggestions I’ve got.
I’d love to hear your comments about work and life balance issues that you’ve had. Comment below or on our social media pages. Thanks for reading!
Additional reading on burnout: https://zety.com/blog/hate-my-job
