After months of providing impeccable service and maintaining the vessel’s splendour, crew members often experience a sense of exhaustion that goes beyond physical fatigue: end-of-season burnout.

In this blog post, we will explore the most effective strategies that you might find helpful to overcome end-of-season burnout and recharge your spirits.

The first step in overcoming end-of-season burnout is recognizing the signs.

Acknowledging these signs early on can help you take the necessary steps to prevent burnout from taking a toll on your well-being.

1. Physical Exhaustion:

One of the earliest signs of burnout is physical exhaustion.

You might notice chronic fatigue, muscle aches, and a decreased immune system response.

Acknowledging these physical signals is crucial in preventing burnout from progressing to a more severe stage.

2. Emotional Drain:

Emotional exhaustion often goes hand in hand with physical fatigue.

Are you experiencing increased irritability, mood swings, and a general sense of detachment?

The constant pressure to maintain high levels of customer service and professionalism can (and probably will) erode emotional resilience over time.

3. Decreased Performance:

As burnout intensifies, you might notice a decline in your performance.

Tasks that once seemed effortless become daunting challenges.

Attention to detail may start slipping, leading to mistakes and frustration.

4. Social Isolation:

A shift in social behaviour can also be a sign of end-of-season burnout.

Crew members who were once lively and sociable might start withdrawing from social interactions, preferring solitude instead.

If you notice this amongst one of your peers, let that person know that you will be there when she/he is ready to talk.

That crew member might not feel like going to a crew dinner, but he/she might like to grab a coffee after work,  just the two of you.

5. Cynicism and Negativity:

An increasingly negative attitude towards work, colleagues, and the yacht lifestyle itself can be a warning sign of burnout.

Crew members may become cynical, criticizing aspects of their job that they once enjoyed.

This negativity not only affects their personal well-being but can (and will) also disrupt the team dynamics on the yacht.

Instead of turning your back to that crew member when this starts happening, think of WHY that person might be showing those behaviours.

Showing kindness to somebody that is going through a rough patch will make the biggest difference.

For you, for that crew member, and for the whole team.

6. Lack of Motivation and Creativity:

Burnout can drain a person’s motivation and creative spark.

Crew members who were once brimming with innovative ideas and a desire to exceed expectations may find themselves struggling to come up with new solutions or ways to enhance the guest experience.

This lack of motivation can (and probably will) impact the overall quality of service provided on the yacht.

One of my old principals used to call me “The queen of table decorations”. As soon as I found myself not looking forward to coming up with a creative table decoration for next service, I knew that my “burn out feeling” was starting to kick off.

PREVENTION AND COPING STRATEGIES:

Many steps can be taken to help your colleagues overcome burnout, especially if you are a Head of Department.

1. Clear Communication:

Encourage open communication between crew members and management to address any concerns or challenges.

Be the HoD that the crew want to come to when they are experiencing a challenging time.

2. Structured Rest:

Implement a structured rest schedule that allows crew members to recharge adequately between demanding shifts.

We all know the challenges of getting enough rest during a busy season, but try to give your team as much rest as possible, especially if you see that one of them is in real need of some time off.

3. Rotation:

Implementing a rotation system has proven highly effective to provide crew members with enough time off to prevent burn out, consequently increasing crew longevity, amongst others.

4. Support Services:

Provide access to mental health resources and counselling services for crew members.

Having a safe space to discuss stress and challenges can be instrumental in preventing burnout.

REFLECT AND CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS:

Before diving headfirst into planning the next chapter, take a moment to reflect on the achievements of the past season.

Celebrate the successful charters, the compliments from guests, and the camaraderie built among the crew.

These positive reflections can rekindle a sense of pride and remind you why you chose this exciting career path in the first place.

PRACTICE MINDFULNESS AND SELF-CARE:

Mindfulness and self-care are powerful tools to combat burnout.

Engage in activities that recharge you physically, mentally, and emotionally. This might include:

• Exercise
• Reading
• Practicing mindfulness or meditation
• Spending time in nature
• Or pursuing hobbies you are passionate about

SET BOUNDARIES:

One of the challenges of working on a super yacht is the blurring of lines between work and personal life due to the close quarters and 24/7 nature of the job.

To combat burnout, establish clear boundaries between work and personal time.

Designate specific times when you disconnect from work-related communication and focus on your personal life.

This separation can prevent feelings of being constantly on call and allow you to fully recharge.

1. Create Designated “Off-Limits” Zones:

This could be the crew mess, the bridge, or any other space that you associate with work.

By physically distancing yourself from these areas during your downtime, you are sending a clear signal to yourself and others that you are off duty.

If all you do during your time off is seating in the crew mess, you will most probably constantly feel “at work”.

2. Embrace Digital Detox:

In today’s connected world, it’s easy for work to seep into personal time through emails, messages, and calls.

Designate specific times for checking and responding to work-related communications. Outside of these times, disconnect from work devices to fully immerse yourself in your personal life.

The “Do not disturb” feature on my phone after work hours used to be my life saver.

This was the only way stopping me from constantly checking my emails after work hours, and even at silly times at night.