Are Stress and Burn-out the Same Thing?

Although they sound similar, stress at the office and job burnout are two completely different things. That's according to a new study published in Harvard Business Review. There is one key aspect of your job performance that may prevent stress from turning into something more severe.

Stress Versus Job Burnout

First, here are some definitions. Job-related stress, according to Merriam-Webster, comes from a physical or mental tension that changes someone's equilibrium. In other words, stress causes your body to go out of whack. Job burnout is much more severe compared to stress. Burnout is a state of physical and mental exhaustion that comes as a result of stress. Job-related stress may cause your burnout, but not the other way around.

What the Study Found

The HBR study surveyed 35 chief medical officers at 35 large hospitals. Of those, a whopping 69 percent of them labeled their stress levels as "severe," "very severe" or "worst possible" based on survey choices. Yet, a majority of these CMOs who labeled their stress this way did not suffer from job burnout. The key avoiding the burnout, according to the study, is emotional intelligence. Somehow, people more in tune with their emotions prevent stress from turning into something worse.

EI or EQ

Emotional intelligence (EI or EQ) is a concept that identifies people who know their emotions, can empathize with others and know how emotional states affect their bodies. In the study of CMOs, EI let these highly stressed people act correctly when faced with stress. Instead of letting stressful situations get the better of the CMOs, these doctors figured out ways to cope that kept them healthy. Researchers suggest compassion for others keeps high levels of stress in check, and compassion, in turn, prevents job burnout.

How to Prevent Burnout

Preventing burnout starts by recognizing the signs that may point to this malady. Look for a lack of energy, concentration and appetite. Do you get easily irritate with those around you? Do you feel unwell on most days instead of well enough to go to work? All of these things might point to burnout.

Prevent burnout with a few tips. Try taking some time away from work and relaxing. Use up some of the vacation days you've been saving up. Eat healthy lunches to ensure you always have enough energy to make it through the remaining hours of each day.

Some mental tricks can also help. Don't be the cause of your own stress by not being too hard on yourself or anticipating stressful situations. Take some deep breaths and slow down when you feel stress starting to build. This gets the oxygen flowing to your brain. Recognize your limitations, and learn to say "no" instead of taking on every project that comes across your desk.

Stress does not have to lead to job burnout. Learn to recognize the elements of both and learn how to cope before you put your health at risk. You may find it's you, and not necessarily the job, that causes burnout.

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