Imagine a light bulb whose purpose is to illuminate a room, but which has burned out and can no longer fulfill its primary function. Such is the case with a teacher who lacks the energy to share knowledge or nurture talents in the classroom. A topic of great concern today, burnout syndrome refers to emotional and physical exhaustion and prolonged exposure to excessive stress, typically related to work and grueling professional conditions.

Unlike stress itself—another issue that urgently needs to be addressed—burnout occurs when we feel disconnected, find no meaning in what we’re doing, and see no clear reward for our work. There is a sense of abandonment, a marked loss of motivation, ideals, and hope. The emotional damage is far-reaching. We must take into account that the instability and uncertainty during the pandemic—which is still far from over as we look ahead to 2021—have contributed to the emergence of this condition, and teachers have been among the professionals most affected.

The causes are wide-ranging. At work, the feeling of having little or no control over one’s tasks, a lack of recognition or appreciation, unclear expectations, performing work that doesn’t motivate us, or a high-pressure environment can all be harmful factors. In personal life, certain factors—such as an excessive workload that isn’t balanced with leisure time, a lack of supportive relationships, poor sleep quality, or excessive perfectionism—are identified as being related to this condition.

In general, I always say that there are four positive ways to avoid or overcome this obstacle: asking for help—after all, no one can be strong all the time; reframing how we view our work, no matter how difficult that may seem; reevaluating priorities, an essential exercise in making choices; and finally, taking care of ourselves, always seeking peace of mind.

The best way to avoid situations of this nature is to pay close attention to our mental health and build what we call “emotional resilience.” Whenever we go through times of disruption—whether it’s a global pandemic or personal tragedies—our emotional well-being is affected. The current global health crisis has brought both of these factors together at the same time—which can leave us feeling anxious and unsupported. We may be struggling with conflicts we’ve never had to face before, experiencing a disproportionate amount of fear, and feeling powerless and out of control. 

Resilience can be cultivated through certain everyday activities: practicing acceptance can be a first step toward coping with unwanted situations; seeking support from others also always helps, even if pride sometimes gets in the way; investing in self-care is another highly effective coping and protective mechanism; and the search for meaning and purpose can lead you to a very rewarding destination. 

While we cannot prevent pain, adversity, or events such as the novel coronavirus pandemic, there are ways to navigate these turbulent times with greater peace of mind. Resilience is the ability to cope with loss, change, or trauma, and cultivating this emotional skill prepares us to face the sadness, stress, and anxiety that arise from these difficult moments. Recovery can then occur more naturally.

 

 

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