Burnout

A type of psychological stress that most frequently arises in the context of employment but can also occur in home care situations and other stressful settings. Burnout is characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion, lack of enthusiasm and motivation, feelings of ineffectiveness and alienation, and impaired performance which mainly affects everyday tasks at work, at home or when caring for family members. Strategies for preventing and managing burnout include employing assertiveness techniques, improving problem solving and decision making skills, clarifying personal values and setting realistic personal goals, learning and using coping mechanisms to deal with emotions, ensuring oneself adequate relaxation and recreation, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and minimizing stressors at work and at home.