“Mens Sana In Corpore Sano” 

With exam season in full swing and after a very long year, students and staff are all dealing with unexplainable fatigue and moodiness topped off with a lack of feeling any emotion. Burnout. Defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion is primarily caused by a prolonged period of uncontrolled and unresolved work stress, alongside other possible personal and environmental stressors. 

While burnout is caused by stress, it is not the same as stress. In stress, you are still able to engage in the activity causing you stress, whereas in burnout, you feel detached and demotivated impairing your ability to engage with the activity. In essence it can be viewed as a long period of unrelenting stress, with the job’s demands out-exceeding the person’s ability to cope with the stress, depleting their mental and physical energy until burnout occurs. 

Burnout is not a medical or mental health condition, instead it is recognised as an occupational phenomenon, being classified as a syndrome.This means burnout is a collection of symptoms or signs associated with a specific health-related cause. 

WHO have characterised burnout by three dimensions: 

· Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, 

· Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and 

· Reduced professional efficacy. 

It is widely accepted burnout causes physical side effects. However, as symptoms vary person to person, it proves difficult to measure and conceptualise how and to what extent burnout affects the body. The leading hypothesis in the field suggests, our autonomic nervous system (ANS) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) become exhausted due to burnout. Leading to an overactivation of vital functions (e.g. heart rate and blood pressure) as well as causing damage to our metabolism and immune system. 

A systematic review investigating the physical effects of burnout found, burnout was a significant predictor for musculoskeletal pain and cardiovascular diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. Further, the weakening of the immune system causes susceptibility to flu-like illnesses, common colds and gastrointestinal problems. 

While there are symptoms produced by burnout we cannot control, research shows workers experiencing prolonged states of stress, more frequently engage in unhealthy behaviour, poor diets, lack of physical exercise and alcohol abuse. These unhealthy behaviours can accumulate leading to a myriad of other consequences such as obesity and diabetes. 

Ways to Reignite The Fire 

Exercise – Although it may be the last thing you want to do, it is a known stress reducer and energy booster. It can be an intense session at the gym or a nice brisk walk. Even a 10-minute walk can improve mood and reduce stress. 

Seek & Utilise Support – Socialising is nature’s antidote to stress; it was found talking to a friend for only 8 minutes is all a human needs to not feel alone in a moment of stress or need. If you are unable to communicate openly to family or friends, then you can take advantage of the wellbeing facilities within UEA which offer professional advice, guidance and support. 

Taking a break – completely remove yourself from the situation and  relax by not thinking about work or feeling guilty about not doing work,. It can be hard taking a break in the middle of a stressful period, but it might be what you need to help you feel better and in fact become more productive. 

The physical effects of burnout are real. In a time of uncertainty in our lives and the world sometimes the best we can do is breathe and reboot.