The Good News

According to Dr Lerato Motshudi, Head of Clinical Research and Programme Development at Netcare Akeso, it is possible for individuals to develop skills and techniques to help address these kinds of pressures effectively before they become overwhelming.

A unique combination of skills development and talk therapy can be immensely helpful in strengthening individual awareness and prevention of burnout.

Evidence-based psycho-emotional tools developed for building resilience and grit allow individuals to understand their own level of burnout risk, enabling them to focus on the areas of greatest personal relevance.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has shown to be an effective treatment for those struggling with burnout, and can be provided in individual or group therapy, or as part of a workplace wellbeing programme. CBT is different to other forms of talk therapy in that it follows a (relatively) clear structure, with practitioners helping their clients to set goals for uncovering the challenge at hand.

Embarking on a CBT journey can help you:

• Note the burnout symptoms being experienced

• Identify the factors leading to burnout

• Address lifestyle factors that may be both caused by or exacerbating burnout (like alcohol consumption, excessive sugar or caffeine intake, lack of exercise, sleep challenges, etc.)

• Work through the negative thoughts and beliefs that both contribute to and are a sign of burnout

• Develop practical day-to-day prevention and management skills (like communication, time management, workload management, and even conflict management skills)

• Identify and pursue restorative activities that can both prevent and help to alleviate the symptoms of burnout (like enjoyable exercise, meditative or contemplative practices, leisure activities, etc.)

• Create a plan for maintaining progress and avoiding future setbacks www.wellnesswarehouse.com

Contact a qualified mental health practitioner to chat about your options for CBT treatment.

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