• Published by Jennifer Khumarga, M.S., BCBA from Enreach Behavioral Services 

Teachers, counselors, therapist, and other health professionals spend their days helping others. Although the work that they do is extremely rewarding, it can also be challenging, frustrating, and disappointing. It is not uncommon for professionals to feel burnout. When professionals feel burnout, their become careless, irritable, and go about their work without trying to connect with their clients. Often times, burnout may feel like temporary physical tiredness that “sleep can fix.” It is important for professionals to monitor their emotional state because they can’t be effective if they are experiencing burnout. In addition, professionals who feel burnout may not feel joy and satisfaction anymore in doing their work. The first step to monitoring emotional state is to be aware of signs and indications of burnout. So, what are some signs of burnout?

• Not wanting to go to work
• Feeling constantly overwhelmed or chaotic
• Feeling you aren’t making a difference
• Being aggravated by clients/co-workers
• Decrease in productivity 

What can you do to prevent burnout?

1. Take care of yourself
   • Sometimes it may feel like there’s so much to do but so little time! However, don’t forget to also do things that you enjoy outside of work. As difficult as it may seem, make time for short breaks. Enjoy a movie, or even a nice outdoor walk.
2. Set limits
   • Set time with your clients as to when you’re available. You don’t always have to be available around the clock! For example, stop checking and replying to your emails past 6pm and weekends. You need to have a life outside of work to have a rest. When you are off work, be present with your family, friends, or even yourself.
3. Be realistic with what you can do
   • We juggle a lot of things at any time. Many of us holds more than one role. At work you are a teacher to your student, but at the same time you are also a mother, spouse, sibling, and child. Be realistic on what you can deliver and know when to say “no.” As much as we want to help out, we need to recognize where our limit lies and say “no” when you can no longer provide help. It is better to refer your clients to other professionals so that they can get the care they need, rather than to have too many things on your plate and dropping them.
4. Know what your triggers are
   • It is also important to recognize our burnout triggers so that when we feel overwhelmed, we can stop what we’re doing and calm ourselves down. For example, in a stressful situation, excuse yourself to go to the bathroom or take a quick walk to get water.

burnout, professionals, self-care, mental health, stress

Special Needs / Berkebutuhan Khusus / General Health / Kesehatan Umum / Health / Kesehatan / Recognizing and Preventing Burnout in Professionals

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