Don't Get It Wrong, Burnout Is Not the Same as Post Holiday Blues
JAKARTA - Decreased work or study motivation is often associated with mental fatigue, but not all of these conditions can be directly equated with burnout.
In some cases, the reluctance to return to activities after the holidays is actually a post holiday blues, which is a temporary emotional response due to the change from the holiday atmosphere to daily routines. Although at first glance it seems similar, burnout and post holiday blues have different characteristics, causes, and impacts.
Clinical psychologist Virginia Hanny, M.Psi., Psychologist explained that burnout and post holiday blues are two conditions that are often mistaken for the same thing, although they have fundamental differences.
"Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization or cynicism, and a decrease in personal achievement, while the post-holiday blues does not change the basic attitude towards work or school," said Virginia Hanny, when contacted by ANTARA.
The psychologist graduated from Padjadjaran University revealed that the difference between the two conditions can be seen from various aspects, ranging from the length of time it lasts, to the triggering factors, to the individual's response to work or academic activities.
"The general difference between the two can be from duration, burnout can occur even years, while post holiday blues only lasts a few days to a maximum of two weeks," said Virginia.
He explained that burnout generally arises due to long-term work pressure and stress. Meanwhile, post holiday blues are more common due to the transition process from vacation to a busy routine.
"Individual behavior towards work, a person who is burned out can be apathetic and even withdraw from work for a long time, while an individual who experiences post-holiday blues only feels reluctant for a while," he said.
Furthermore, the psychologist who practices at Personal Growth also shared a number of steps that can be taken to overcome conditions such as post holiday blues. These efforts include rebuilding routines gradually, improving sleep patterns to be more consistent, and setting realistic small goals.
"Maintaining the fun things done during the holidays such as light exercise, taking time to do hobbies and socializing in everyday life, realizing that these emotions are valid and normal, but do not often linger, discuss with the closest people or professional personnel," he said.