Boreout: when the problem is boredom and not overwork!

The boreout is a condition little discussed, but increasingly present in working environments. Unlike burnout, which is caused by excessive tasks and pressure, boreout results from lack of challenges, monotony and demotivation. This emotional and mental burnout occurs when the worker feels that their skills are under-utilized and their work has no meaning.

Burnout vs Boreout: what distinguishes them is more than unites them

While burnout arises due to excess pressure, chronic stress and overload of tasks, boreout is the opposite. That is, the latter occurs when there are repetitive tasks or no relevance, lack of recognition and an environment without stimuli.

These two problems affect mental health at work, but in different ways: burnout is overload, while boreout is empty and lack of purpose, arising the need to come back to yourself, for example, with the specialized help of an integrative health coach.

Main symptoms of Boreout that often go unnoticed

The signs of boreout are discreet and not always noticeable, because they are easily mistaken for normal tiredness or lack of energy. However, some specific and more common symptoms include:

Constant feeling of boredom, disinterest and demotivation at work.
Frequent procrastination and creation of artificial tasks to “look busy”.
Low self-esteem and difficulty in maintaining focus throughout the day.
Frustration with the lack of challenges and monotony.
Feeling of stagnation and frustration in the professional environment.

Consequences of Boreout: the importance of mental health at work

The consequences of Boreout can be profound and lasting leading to emotional burnout. In the medium and long term, it can lead to:

Chronic demotivation and low productivity.
Depressive symptoms, anxiety and irritability.
Emotional isolation, both in the work environment and outside it.
A growing desire to leave the job or change career.
Decrease in creativity and innovation at work.

The origin of Boreout

The contributors to the boreout are various such as: repetitive tasks, without meaning or challenges; lack of recognition and effective communication with leadership; rigid organizational environment, with no space for personal expression; misalignment between the employee’s personal values and the company’s goals; and lack of opportunities to grow or innovate in a career.

Is it a topic that deserves your attention? All and full! Find out why

Take note, this occupational syndrome (psychological condition related to work) has a silent but significant impact on the emotional and physical well-being of professionals. Unlike burnout, which is widely discussed, boreout is often ignored by organizations.

However, note: unmotivated workers have a negative impact on productivity and the work environment. Recognizing and treating boreout is therefore fundamental for the overall health of employees and organizational success.

5 reasons to count on the help of an integrative health coaching

In fact, this professional offers an important support for those who suffer from this condition. Through a structured and empathetic process, it will be possible to adopt the best practices for a healthy lifestyle and habits:

Promote self-awareness and emotional clarity: helps individuals to recognize the signs of demotivation and find practical solutions.

Reconnect with personal purpose: By deepening personal values and motivations, coaching allows the professional to rediscover their purpose, creating an alignment and balance between professional life and their personal values.
Set concrete and realistic goals: with practical tools it is possible to help professionals define clear and motivating objectives, fighting boredom and demotivation.
Identify new possibilities for change: encourages reflection on new career approaches, whether through small changes or deeper transformation.
Work well-being in an integrated way: it considers all aspects of life, such as sleep, food and relationships, creating a balanced approach that has a positive impact on the motivation and energy of the professional.

Spend the hours of work (and life) on autopilot? Do something to change!

If you feel that, despite being constantly tired, there is no clear reason for this, maybe you are not a victim of burnout, but rather of boreout.

Know that integrative health coaching can be the first support to regain clarity, motivation and vitality, leading to a new professional phase more aligned with your life purpose.