Burnout As A Contagion

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29 Sep

How Can You ‘Catch’ Burnout?

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by chronic stress.

It results in feelings of emotional exhaustion that then lead to negative attitudes towards oneself and others.

Learn more about the basics of burnout here

While awareness of burnout and its causes has been increasing, did you know you can catch it from others? A phenomenon called the Burnout Contagion.

How do you catch burnout?

People are (generally) social creatures. We like to interact and connect with others. These social interactions are usually healthy and can lead to better mental and physical health, however, what happens if those around you are feeling burnt out?

We know that emotions can be contagious - we have the tendency to automatically mimic the facial expressions, postures, movements and feelings of others. Emotional contagion can also occur consciously when a person “turns in” to the emotions of others - where they try to imagine what it would be like to be in the other person’s shoes and then they too, experience the same feelings.

Knowing this, it's not hard to imagine how the negative emotions being expressed by someone already burnt out can be transferred and adopted by others. In fact, several studies involving general practitioners, nurses and teachers have shown that this does, indeed, occur.

Emotional exhaustion, the fundamental pillar of burnout, first arises in an individual by being repeatedly exposed to the perceived burnout complaints of others. In addition, individuals that are more susceptible to emotional stimuli and more likely to “turn in” to the emotions of others, are more likely to “catch” the negative emotions expressed by others, such as anxiety, depressed mood, worry etc.

How to Avoid Contagious Burnout

Now you might be thinking after reading this, that the best way to avoid contagious burnout is to avoid those suffering from it. Instead, consider ways to reduce and manage your own potential burn out, such as using some of the tips discussed here, or ways in which you can help others reduce theirs as well.

For leaders, creating an environment that reduces the risk of burnout is key. Learn ways to do that here.

If you would like to learn more about Burnout Prevention and Recovery, check out our workshops here.