Stress is a burden for many people these days. According to a study by Techniker Krankenkasse (2021), a quarter of Germans suffer from stress. Just under 26% of the German population report that they are often stressed. 38% of respondents experience stress from time to time.
So stress is a constant companion for many people. But why are these figures so high? According to the TK study from 2021, the respondents' working environment is at the top of the list. 47% feel stressed by their job. It should be added that the higher the level of education, the higher the level of stress.
What effects do these stressors have on health?
Normally, everyone has individual resources that can counteract stress. However, if the frequency and duration of stress exceeds your own resources or personal resilience, this can lead to a permanent strain on the body.
Everyone has probably heard of burnout or burnout syndrome. In today's working world, burnout is no longer a rarity. It is already considered a widespread disease.
Differences between burnout, boreout and brownout
But what actually is burnout? What if you yourself don't know whether you have burnout or boreout? Or perhaps a brownout after all?
Burnout
The term burnout comes from the English language and means "being burnt out".
In connection with work, the following signs are typical of burnout:
- Tiredness and exhaustion
- Sleep disorders
- Concentration disorders and memory problems
- Respiratory disorders
- Depression, anxiety and fear of failure
- Physical symptoms such as gastrointestinal complaints, headaches and tinnitus
Boreout
Boreout is the opposite of burnout. Boreout also causes a kind of exhaustion, but not due to too much work, but due to too little work. Boreout makes you feel underchallenged and you try to keep yourself busy.
The following signs can be seen in boreout:
- Sleep disorders
- Tiredness and irritability in everyday life
- Demotivation and listlessness
- Depression
- Physical complaints such as stomach problems and headaches, weakened immune system
Brownout
Brownout is a relatively new syndrome. Here we are talking about a drop in tension. This is a gradual process and the person affected loses the enjoyment of their own work. Their own creativity is suppressed and the meaning of their work is no longer seen/recognized.
Causes of burnout and boreout
The perfect balance between challenge and recovery plays an enormously important role in many respects and influences how efficient you are.
Causes of burnout
There are many causes for the development of burnout syndrome. One decisive factor is the attitude towards one's own performance at work and in everyday life. Typically, there is a strong need to live up to and meet one's own high standards, as well as a need for appreciation and recognition. Those affected pay little or no attention to their mental and physical limits.
Boreout causes
Too much rest or boredom reduces resilience. If the mind is not challenged from time to time, it deteriorates. This is because mental challenges improve brain function. Known as "eustress", this positive form of challenge increases performance in the long term.
Mental incentives increase performance
Mental stimuli, such as challenging tasks that may also be stressful, increase performance and resilience in the long term. This releases a whole cocktail of hormones that prepare you for the situation.
If you find yourself in a challenging situation, your breathing and heartbeat speed up and adrenaline and noradrenaline are released. These hormones have a supportive and activating effect in this situation. Increased breathing makes more oxygen available to the brain. Once the challenging situation has been successfully overcome, the body releases dopamine and serotonin, the so-called feelings of happiness.
A lack of hormones can make you feel unhappy and can also have other negative effects.
Unfortunately, burnout and boreout sufferers very rarely experience situations of positive stress.
Counteracting burnout or boreout - but how?
It is not always easy to recognize symptoms or signs of burnout or boreout. Most doctors usually only recognize a connection when the non-specific symptoms occur more frequently. It is therefore important that the life situation of those affected is always considered and taken into account in cases of physical and mental discomfort.
A discussion with superiors and colleagues should definitely be sought if you are experiencing a lot of stress or are frequently bored. However, everyone affected should also take a look for themselves and become aware of what needs to be changed and, if necessary, see how tasks can be modified. Talking to friends, family and acquaintances can also help many people to recognize the problems and act accordingly.
Rest, relaxation and sufficient sleep are important steps towards self-help in cases of emotional exhaustion. This creates the opportunity to achieve inner peace in order to support inner balance.
Regular exercise in the fresh air is very important, giving your thoughts free rein or really working out during sport is a real treat for the mind and body. This releases endorphins, which make you happy.
A balanced and vitamin-rich diet is very important as it helps the body with important metabolic functions and enables the body to cope better with stress. A proper diet is the basis, as it influences and increases resistance, resilience and stress resistance.
However, if a person feels that they are suffering from burnout or boreout, they should definitely seek medical or therapeutic advice.
Doctor, sports medicine
Dr. med. H. F. König
Your doctors for sports medicine in
Baden-Baden
Our sports medicine physicians provide comprehensive care aimed at helping athletes maintain their health and performance and prevent injuries. With a holistic approach, we develop individual treatment plans tailored to the needs of each patient. From performance diagnostics to rehabilitation, we use our expertise to help you achieve your sporting goals.
