(5) Actively develop and foster an "esprit de corps" in your unit. If you are a
manager and are trying to prevent burnout in your unit, try to develop a sense of
togetherness in the unit. Studies have shown that individuals with a highly developed
sense of togetherness and spirit suffer from burnout less often than those without this
characteristic.
Do not try to be perfect. You are only human. Stop expecting too much
(6)
of yourself.
(7) Set realistic goals. It is stimulating to set high goals. If, however, these
goals cannot be reached and this fact bothers you, set goals that can be met.
(8) Focus on one thing at a time. Do not try to do everything at once. Do
not try to be everything to everyone.
(9) Learn to relax. Leave work at work. Do not take unnecessary
paperwork home every night and on weekends. Plan to take vacations away from your
working area. Go to the mountains or the coast for a few days every couple of months.
Take a break at specific intervals to "recharge your batteries." You can also learn and
practice relaxation techniques. This does not mean getting extra sleep. Yoga is one
relaxation technique, but other approaches are available, simple, and beneficial.
(10) Develop outside interests. Be sure there is something else in your life in
addition to work. Active sports such as baseball, volleyball, skiing, bowling, swimming,
etc., are good relaxers for some people. Other individuals find enjoyment in music,
reading, writing, painting, etc. Whether you have a passion for stamp collecting or
scuba diving, an interest not connected with work will give you something else to think
about as well as something else to talk about.
2-3.
DEPRESSION
a. Definition. This type of depression is a mood disturbance which is so severe
that the individual needs some type of help. Depression can be defined as a mental
state characterized by feelings of sadness, despair, unhappiness, worthlessness, and
hopelessness. Everyone has mood changes: sometimes feeling great and at other
times feeling a little down. Usually, we can swing up out of our depressed states by
ourselves. When a person's depression becomes such that the individual cannot
function or is a danger to society, that depression has moved out of the normal range.
The individual must have professional help.
MD0586
2-5