Have you ever wondered if you are headed for burnout? We are switched on for more hours than ever before, and sometimes it can feel like there are never enough hours in the day. So how do you know if burning the candle at both ends is going to result in a few extra dark under-eye bags, or something a lot more serious? Here are seven of the key signs you could be headed for burnout.
1 You Are Exhausted…
Okay, so most people are tired sometimes, but if you feel exhausted it could be a sign that you are headed for burnout. I don’t just mean physical exhaustion, either. Emotional and mental exhaustion are just as important, and can be draining just the same. Keep a check on how you feel, and if you start feeling that you have absolutely no energy, make sure you treat it like the warning sign that it is.
Frequently asked questions
2 You Just Can’t Think
Struggling to pay attention? Can’t concentrate? If your cognitive abilities are impaired, you are probably on the road to being burnt out. When you are stressed out, your body narrows its attention to focus on the negative aspect. In the short term, it’s an attempt to solve the problem. In reality, it can make the situation worse. If the stress continues, the narrow focus becomes far too long-term, and you’ll struggle to concentrate on anything else. You may notice that you are more forgetful than usual, or that you can’t make decisions.
3 You Are in a Negativity Cycle
Feeling disillusioned? If you feel like nothing you do matters, or are generally more pessimistic than normal, it’s a definite sign. While negative emotions are normal from time to time, recognize when it becomes unusual for you, and take action if it lasts for too long. Depression and burn out both require treatment, and the sooner you get help, the sooner you’ll feel better.
4 Life’s a Drag
Similarly, if your enthusiasm for work or life in general fades, and you find yourself feeling demotivated and unhappy, you may be suffering burnt out. Internal motivation is usually a fairly consistent feeling, and while everyone has to drag themselves to work sometimes, long term this is a bad sign. Take action to fight the burn out, and your motivation will soon return.
5 You’re Fiery
If you find yourself picking arguments, whether it’s with your partner, family, colleagues or friends, it could be a sign that you have a lot of pent up frustration. Similarly, if you withdraw into yourself and talk to your family or co-workers less, it could be a defense mechanism. Interpersonal problems generally affect both home and work, so don’t be surprised if they affect you everywhere. Just explain that you’ll take action as soon as possible, and ask for patience and understanding.
6 You’re Not on Your a Game
Have you noticed yourself adopting any unhealthy coping strategies? Smoking, drinking too much, eating a lot of unhealthy foods, needing a sugar fix, watching too much TV, avoiding exercise, sleeping too much, avoiding sleep entirely, self medication… there are plenty of coping strategies that are common during burn out, and none are too healthy. Consider if you are neglecting yourself, and if you need any advice, help or assistance. It’s generally easier to get help before you’ve fallen all the way off the ladder!
7 You’re Preoccupied
When was the last time you stopped thinking about work? If you can’t remember when that project, client or your boss wasn’t in your thoughts somewhere, you are definitely burnt out. To recover from work, you need time off. That means time to stop thinking about work, as well as time to be physically away. If you don’t get that, your brain is constantly on duty, and you are pulling a constant shift. Just imagine how long your body could do that for – it’s no wonder you are headed for burnout, right?!
So what now? If you think you are headed for burnout, it’s time to grab a moment with HR or your boss, and speak to your GP. A few days off might be enough to make you feel better, or having some extra help from a colleague. Some people might recover better with medication, or find talking therapies helpful. Regardless, the quicker that you get help, the quicker you’ll feel better. Have you got any tips for dealing with burnout? Let me know!
