Adrian Acevedo, MHC

In recent years, the phenomenon known as “burnout” has become an increasingly frequent subject of research and conversation. Reports of burnout are prevalent across industries, with the highest reported rates impacting educators, healthcare workers, and those in service industries and the “helping professions.” In many cases, we know the signs of burnout when we see/feel them. But what is it, anyway? Psychologist Herbert Freudenberger coined the term “burnout” in the 1970’s, defining it as the reported experience of the following:

1. Emotional exhaustion: emotional fatigue resulting from prolonged stress and overwork/over-investment in work

2. Depersonalization: the depletion of empathy, caring, and compassion for others, resulting from emotional exhaustion

3. Decreased sense of accomplishment: a sense of futility, the belief that one’s efforts no longer make any difference, a deep sense of resignation

Many of us have experienced burnout at some point in our lives, either in a highly demanding job, a competitive and discouraging industry, or even in challenging relationship dynamics. I can recall difficult seasons in my own life where my experiences with burnout rendered me irritable, unmotivated, and perpetually exhausted (maybe you can relate!) Reflecting upon these experiences, I recognize that I was able to recover from burnout not through the passage of time or changing circumstances alone, but by finding and embracing meaning and purpose in my life.     

Researchers define the concept of “meaning” as having two key functions in the lives of individuals. Positive psychology regards meaning as a key element in promoting happiness. Other research highlights the importance of meaning as a coping strategy for recovering from illness, trauma, and other forms of hardship. Meaning can be drawn from many sources, including the pursuit of ambitious goals, dedication to creative work, connection to a divine or spiritual calling, and emotionally intimate connections with others. Our relationship to meaning is ever-changing and fluctuating as we approach different activities, responsibilities, and relationships. Not every moment we experience or task we complete will feel equally purposeful, but engaging with meaningful work and relationships regularly helps us come back to a centered place, where hope and motivation can be accessed and harnessed in order to proceed forward. 

In all, making meaning has a nourishing effect on humans. The prolonged absence of meaning seems to universally result in disillusionment, distress, and despair. Recovering meaning can help us to see the light at the end of the tunnel, motivate us to pursue restorative activities and relationships with others, and strengthen our sense of hope for the future. A strong sense of purpose can bolster human joy and drive, while also serving as a balm for disappointment and suffering when they inevitably come. This tether to something greater, to our purpose, can help protect and heal us from the emotional fatigue and futility that come with burnout, and make us more open to compassion and connection. In a world that so often values our work at the expense of our health and humanity, meaning is essential for thriving.