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Why Self-Care Can’t Fix Structural Burnout

Written by Emma Seppälä, Psychology Today, October 2018.

“Self-care can help alleviate the day-to-day negative effects of burnout. But it doesn’t address the root causes that led to burnout in the first place.”
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Understanding Burnout and Self-Care

• Burnout: A state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and lack of recovery time.
• Self-Care: The practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s wellbeing and happiness, particularly during periods of stress.

The Limits of Self-Care

“Self-care is a Band-Aid on a bullet wound.”
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Addressing Structural Burnout

Structural burnout refers to the burnout caused by systemic issues such as excessive workload, lack of support, and unhealthy workplace culture. These structural problems require organizational change to address, rather than individual self-care practices.

Taking Action

To combat burnout, it’s essential to address the root causes, such as addressing excessive workloads, improving workplace culture, and advocating for organizational changes that prioritize employee wellbeing. While self-care remains an important aspect of maintaining personal health, it should not be relied upon to fix structural burnout.

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