stress and burnout prevention for Professionals

Stress and burnout are possible in any position, but workers in helping professions including nurses and social workers experience undue amounts of stress due to the nature of their job and the demands placed upon them. Understaffing, high workloads, and case load intensity are common causes of burnout. Feeling systematically disempowered or frustrated with bureaucracy or policy can also contribute to the job-related stressors in the helping professions. Caregivers often overextend themselves, caring for others but neglecting to care for their own needs. Therefore, the best ways to mitigate the potential for burnout is to prevent emotional and physical depletion from occurring in the first place.
Specific recommendations for reducing stress and burnout include learning how to say no to supervisors who may expect extended working hours, and resisting the desire to impress others by how hard one works or by perfectionism. “Building resilience” is a key to resisting burnout (Hughes, 1995). Resilience is an overall means of improving one’s baseline response to stress. Exercise and meditation help, but ultimately some people will be more prone to stress and burnout than others. I personally believe that professionals in social services need to maintain a strong separation between work and personal life, refusing to work on days off or even taking phone calls or reading emails. Downtime is essential. Likewise, if I had to advise a colleague prone to stress or burnout, I would recommend developing a self care plan that fits in with their lifestyle, schedule, and personal preferences. Spiritual pursuits, exercise, and maintaining a strong and active social life are all methods of detracting from the stress experienced at work. We in the helping professions excel at our work because we care, but sometimes caring too much for others can backfire. Setting boundaries is the most helpful way to prevent burnout and reduce the effects of a stressful job.
References
Hughes, M. (1995). Burnout and self care in the helping professions. IAHAP. Retrieved online: http://iahip.org/inside-out/issue-20-spring-1995/burnout-and-self-care-in-the-helping-professions