How to beat the post-holiday blues

As the work year gets into full swing, expectations about our energy levels are high. But according to one expert, feelings of burnout this time of year are quite common.

“People can still feel burnt out after the holidays for several reasons. Over the break they may have still been harbouring workload stress or burnout. Or, they may not have had enough rest during their holiday,” says Amanda Gordon, workplace psychologist at Indeed.

Quitting, even if an option, is not always the answer.

“To make sensible choices about work life balance and to protect against future burnout, you must first recover from the stress responses your body has in play,” says Gordon.

While it’s tempting to use the term ‘burnout’ somewhat flippantly, simply being stressed doesn’t meet the formal definition. Peta Sigley, the co-founder of Springfox, points out the definition of burnout goes beyond exhaustion to include issues like the inability to feel joy, compromised work performance through issues like forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating.

“In reality, burnout is a significant syndrome that has physical impacts. It can lead to higher risk of illness … and can also affect our immune and cognitive function. A few good nights of sleep and a lighter load for a while will not adequately address the symptoms of burnout,” Sigley says.

‘If you are tired and feeling overwhelmed now, it is likely you will remain that way unless you act to make changes.’

Workplace psychologist Amanda Gordon

Sigley believes both employers and employees have a role to play in burnout prevention. For employers, creating a psychologically safe work environment goes a long way.

“Employees should be able to speak openly about their experience, whether to their direct managers or their colleagues, without fear of being judged as incompetent or not up to the task,” Sigley says.