Burnout Syndrome at Work Gains Weight

Burnout is the depletion of a person's physical and emotional resources. This situation, which causes the person to be negatively affected both at work and in daily life, can cause weight gain. Specialist Clinical Psychologist and Specialist Dietitian Merve Öz says that the workload and fatigue caused by burnout trigger uncontrolled and emotional nutrition, which naturally makes weight control difficult.

Uncontrolled eating is defined as losing control in certain situations and eating uncontrollably, even if one is not hungry. For example; while others are eating, the person also eats when s/he sees and smells food even though s/he is not hungry. In emotional nutrition, on the other hand, events are reacted to by eating rather than hunger. In other words, s/he turns to meals to reveal positive emotion in a situation when s/he is sad or stressed. Merve Öz, Specialist Clinical Psychologist and Dietitian at Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital explained that in the case of burnout syndrome, people prefer this method to combat the emotional changes they experience. Studies show very clearly that burnout syndrome is closely related to emotional eating disorder and uncontrolled nutrition.

High-Calorie Foods Increase Attraction

With effect of burnout syndrome, which can be experienced as a result of problems experienced at work; emotional symptoms such as feeling helpless, easy anger, irritability, dissatisfaction, disappointment, boredom, decreased self-esteem and self-confidence, lack of self-worth, and hopelessness can occur. In this case, foods high in calories are consumed more during the day. It is inevitable to gain weight as a result of high-calorie food consumption and less physical activity.

Merve Öz points out that business factors must be considered in order to minimize the negative effects of these emotional symptoms on the mental state and therefore the weight loss process. If necessary, getting support from an expert also underlines that it is beneficial.

Behaviors Must Change!

Merve Öz from Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital remarked that behavioral change is essential in order to get rid of uncontrolled eating and emotional eating that causes excessive consumption. Therefore, weight loss programs and weight management programs offered to employed adults should include ways to evaluate workload and fatigue and to address high workload or fatigue through behavioral therapy.

Do Not Eat While You are on the Phone or Computer

In order to get rid of uncontrolled eating and emotional eating, it is necessary to make cognitive restrictions, that is, to control food intake mentally. What needs to be done for this is listed by Merve Öz as follows: “Eating small portions or avoiding weight-gaining foods can be given as an example of cognitive restriction. It should also be eaten consciously. When dealing with the computer, when dealing with the phone, that is, when the focus is elsewhere, the amount of food eaten is bound to be exaggerated. Therefore, while eating, only food should be taken care of; by focusing, food should be eaten with 5 senses.”

Make a List of Things To Do in Case of Stress

 Yeditepe University Hospital Specialist Psychologist and Dietitian Merve Öz states that in order not to gain weight in case of burnout syndrome, it will be beneficial to prepare a list of things to do instead of eating in case of stress: “The list of at least 10 items should always be kept in mind. Items such as drinking coffee or water, walking a little, listening to music, changing the environment, doing relaxation exercises, and making a phone call with a loved one can be added to the list. If the desire to eat has not yet passed after trying all of this list, food should be eaten as a last resort. In addition, high-calorie snacks should not be kept handy at work, and if possible, should not be taken at all.”

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