What is emotional fatigue and what are its consequences, according to a scientific study

In life, there are usually many situations that are not under our control. Some require a lot of emotional strength, which we sometimes manage to have. Often, however, we feel defeated. Often, the stress that comes with being strong always takes its toll.

A study on emotional fatigue and the work of nurses, often exposed to stressful situations, generated interesting facts about the exhaustion produced by extreme situations that everyone tries to overcome, but that can also destroy anyone.

O awesome.club wants to tell you why it’s so important to recognize emotional fatigue, as well as share with you some tips that can help you fight this problem.

The study, led by Dr. Jordi Fernández-Castro, a member of the Department of Basic, Evolutionary and Educational Psychology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, ​​consisted of an analysis of how perceptions of (1) demand, (2) control, (3) effort and (4) reward, according to the task performed and the level of emotional fatigue. The test was performed based on a group of 113 nurses from the critical and emergency services unit.

Through smartphone software, designed with a menu to answer any question just by touching the screen, nurses had to answer 4 questions (demand, control, effort and reward), formulated about the extent to which each concept could be applied. the characteristics of the task performed at that time.

The results showed a significant relationship between the demand/reward binomial and emotional fatigue. Therefore, it was concluded that the fatigue decreases with perceived reward🇧🇷 On the opposite hand, she increases with the level of emotional exhaustion and the momentary importance of a given demand.

The study found that fatigue at work is influenced by many momentary variables, such as the importance of task demand and the aforementioned reward, but in addition, also by personal variables, such as tiredness.

When a person is emotionally exhausted, they often feel saturated or overwhelmed. Contrary to what one might think, this does not only occur due to overwork (such as the professional burnout syndrome), but it can also occur in other situations, such as in life as a couple, in parenthood or in people who take care of children. others constantly, as is the case with nurses.

Ie, Emotional overload has to do with taking on more responsibilities than you can manage and is manifested by physical tiredness and the feeling of exhaustion.

The study carried out with nurses showed chronic stress particularly associated with the work of caring for other people. However, anyone is at risk of having this problem. A person can become progressively saturated with negative emotions, thoughts or feelings until he collapses, when he literally feels unable to handle such problems.

Tiredness can increase throughout the day, especially in periods when there is more demand for work, but decreases when a greater reward is perceivedwhether personal, economic or, for example, when you can rest alone.

The work of nurses is undoubtedly a good example of the constant demand for responsibilities. However, other circumstances can trigger emotional fatigue, such as:

Going through a significant life change, such as a divorce or the death of a loved one. Suffer financial stress. Under pressure at work, family and/or school. Having a chronic illness. Being exposed to a high-demand work environment.

Emotional fatigue can manifest itself in many ways. However, some symptoms are not unique to exhaustion. According to the HelpGuide portal (more on this later), it is advisable to consult a professional if you notice:

Prolonged physical fatigue. Trouble falling asleep. Feeling isolated from other people. Lack of motivation. Constant anger.

If you are suddenly unable to focus on any activity, no matter how routine or simple it may seem, or you start forgetting things frequently, you are likely to be emotionally exhausted. Some people may even have trouble organizing or planning things mentally.

If you think you’ve reached your limit and are dealing with a level of stress that is no longer healthy, we recommend taking a break. Without a doubt, the best way to get rid of fatigue is to rest. Plus, you can always implement any of these tips shared by HelpGuide — the site is non-profit and geared toward mental health and well-being:

Identify the source of stress. Knowing what causes tension in your daily work is a great step in finding a remedy. For example, if work absorbs you or you spend a lot of time taking care of a small child, the sick or the disabled, you can look for “secret” places to reconnect with yourself and have a moment dedicated exclusively to you.

Adopt a balanced diet and exercise regularly. Eating healthy and exercising will help the body detoxify negative emotions.

Avoid consumption of harmful substances. Some people, when they feel very stressed, turn to tobacco or alcohol to escape their problems, but this, in addition to being harmful, can become an addiction that will not help or solve anything.

Establish personal priorities. Emotionally drained people tend to ignore their own needs. In this sense, seeking self-care is vital. And, as far as possible, it is recommended to set simple and achievable goals that benefit personal well-being, such as getting enough rest, having fun times, paying attention to physical and mental health, etc.

Aim for a regular sleep cycle. People who feel emotionally drained often have insomnia problems. It is recommended to try to establish a sleep cycle with enough hours of rest and to consult a specialist.

Find moments to do a playful activity. Distracting the mind with other activities ends up being very good for people who live emotionally stressed. You can take a walk, attend a dance class, a cooking class, read a book, watch a movie, put together a puzzle, paint or sing, among other things.

Meditate. Meditation is a great tool for those who need to find a way to direct their negative thoughts and make them positive. It can even become a form of healing.

Expressing emotions and seeking support from family and/or friends. Sometimes people who carry a lot of emotions hold them back and avoid talking about them. However, it is advisable to seek help and discuss feelings with people you trust. There are even help groups, which are often ideal emotional support for those who feel lonely.

Stay positive. It’s very easy to fall into negativity when you’re under constant pressure. But a positive mind will always be better able to improve than a pessimistic one.

Visit a specialist, psychologist or doctor. Finally, emotional fatigue can become a pathology with health consequences; therefore it is always advisable to seek the help of a psychologist or doctor, who will correctly diagnose what happens and if the symptoms correspond to the diagnosis. Never do a self-assessment without the help of an expert and do not self-medicate.

Have you ever felt like that? What method helps you release the pressures? We’d love to read your suggestions in the comments section.