Corporate Burnout: What It Looks Like and How to Cope
You got the job that (you thought) you always wanted, and are slowly climbing up the ranks. But, over time, you start dreading going to work. The office politics are overwhelming, and you’re tired of competing with your colleagues and friends for recognition. You’re exhausted and stressed, and the pressure from your supervisor is getting to you. You just don’t care anymore, and are having fantasies of quitting the job that you’ve worked so hard for.
Can you relate? Then you might be facing corporate burnout. Burnout is a recognized medical condition that can deeply affect your mental and physical health. But quitting your job isn’t the only solution – there are ways to recognize the warning signs,
What is corporate burnout?
You’ve probably heard of burnout, and may have even felt it yourself. Burnout happens when you feel overwhelmed by your life’s responsibilities and demands. It’s a state of exhaustion, emotional depletion, and excessive long-term stress. People can also start to feel disconnected and numb to everything when they’re burnt out.
Burnout can happen in any area of life, including work, school, and parenting. Corporate burnout is when you feel burnt out on corporate life. It’s a form of career or workplace burnout, but it’s typically made worse by the pressure and office politics that often come along with high-stress corporate settings.
Some of the factors specific to corporate life that can lead to burnout include:
Excessive workload
Although many professions are affected by this, corporate workers often face unmanageable workloads that cannot realistically be completed during work hours. This can lead to expectations of overtime and poor work-life boundaries, contributing to corporate burnout.
High pressure to succeed
Corporate environments are often very high-pressure. You need to satisfy stakeholders and your managers, and it might sometimes feel like everyone lives in a cloud of constant stress.
Ruthless competition
In corporate settings, there’s often a ruthless sense of competition among coworkers. It might feel like a dog-eat-dog world at your workplace, which can cause burnout when you’re in this toxic environment day after day.
No control over company decisions
Many people working in middle management experience corporate burnout because they have no control over company decisions but often suffer the consequences of them. For example, you might be expected to fire employees when you have no say in the decision.
Lack of meaning
Many corporate workers feel like their work lacks meaning. This may not be subjectively true, but it can often be harder to find meaning and purpose in corporate office settings than it is in other professions like teaching or social work.
Lack of inclusivity and belonging
Corporate employees who are members of historically marginalized groups, like LGBTQ+ or BIPOC employees, often experience microaggressions and identity-based harassment in the workplace. This not only leads to burnout but also damages mental health.
Organizational changes and instability
You might be more at risk for burnout when big organizational changes, like mass layoffs, are happening. The uncertainty of job security and resulting tension can create a confusing and toxic work environment.
Corporate burnout isn’t a mental health disorder, and it can sometimes be addressed by making changes and implementing healthy habits. But often, people become so bogged down by burnout that it develops into a more severe mental health problem, like depression or anxiety.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s classification (the ICD-101, burnout is a medical diagnosis that needs to be taken seriously. It doesn’t work to simply ignore it or hope it’ll go away on its own.
What does corporate burnout look like? Signs & symptoms
One of the most important things when it comes to any kind of burnout, including corporate burnout, is to recognize that it’s happening. When you’re able to notice the signs of corporate burnout, you can take action sooner to address it.
Here’s what corporate burnout can look like:
You feel constantly exhausted, even after a full night's sleep – especially after long hours at the office.
You're not as productive as you used to be on key projects.
You find yourself feeling more cynical or negative about your job or company.
You have a hard time concentrating or making decisions during meetings.
You're getting more headaches, stomach issues, or muscle tension after stressful deadlines.
You feel emotionally numb or detached from your responsibilities and colleagues.
You often feel helpless or hopeless about moving up in your career.
You're just not as satisfied or enthusiastic about your achievements anymore.
You might be turning to alcohol or drugs to deal with the high-pressure environment.
You tend to avoid work-related tasks or procrastinate on important projects.
You're more irritable or have mood swings, especially with all the office politics and demands.
You pull back from social interactions with colleagues and friends.
You feel undervalued or unappreciated by your bosses or team members.
You experience anxiety or panic attacks when thinking about presentations or deadlines.
Even small tasks or decisions at work feel overwhelming.
You're calling out sick more often and fantasize about quitting your job.
You have trouble sleeping or deal with insomnia because of work stress.
You neglect your personal care and well-being because of work demands.
You constantly feel inadequate or have self-doubt about how you're performing at work.
Neglecting personal care and well-being because of work demands.
Persistent feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt about your performance.
How to prevent and address corporate burnout
The good news is that, although corporate burnout is serious, there is so much you can do to prevent and address it. It’s essential not to ignore burnout symptoms or pretend like it isn’t happening. Trying to “just push through it” will only make it worse.
Remember, burnout is a medical condition recognized by the WHO. It isn’t just “in your head” – your body is letting you know that something is wrong. Burnout isn’t your fault or a sign of weakness; it can happen to anyone, and it’s a result of the difficult environment that you work in day after day.
When you notice the warning signs of burnout that we listed above, take action. Make some changes, take care of yourself, and brainstorm what needs to happen to prevent corporate burnout from happening again.
Here are some tips to keep in mind.
Take a step back
Try taking a step back and get a clear view of what’s triggering burnout for you. When you’re under a lot of stress, it’s easy to start to feel like you’re just putting out fires and trying to keep your head above water. Identifying specific stressors can help you tackle the root causes effectively, rather than getting lost in the overwhelm and stress of day-to-day tasks.
Bring self-care back to the basics
Self-care doesn’t need to be fancy. To combat corporate burnout, it’s important to prioritize the basics of self-care. Make sure you’re getting enough rest, eating well (including a nourishing lunch), and taking breaks. These simple habits are crucial for maintaining both your physical and mental well-being in demanding corporate environments.
Talk to your manager (if you feel safe)
Consider discussing your burnout symptoms with your manager if you feel comfortable. They may not be aware of the challenges you're facing and could make adjustments to support you. However, it’s important to recognize that not everyone feels secure enough to have this conversation, and that’s perfectly okay.
Look for meaning
Finding meaning in your work is key to preventing burnout. Whether it’s aligning your current role with your values or exploring new opportunities, connecting your work to a deeper purpose can bring you motivation and fulfillment.
Mental health therapy for burnout in Washington D.C.
If burnout has become overwhelming or is getting in the way of living a life that feels fulfilling and meaningful to you, then it might help to speak with a therapist. Our qualified therapists at North Star Psychological Services can help you work through what you’re feeling about work and find ways to take care of yourself, find purpose, and cope with stress.
Get in touch with us to schedule a free consultation. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.
