How to Tell When You’re Feeling Burned Out

Do you often feel exhausted and overwhelmed with your daily responsibilities? Have you lost interest in the activities that once brought you joy? Do you frequently feel irritable, frustrated, and easily angered? Do you often find yourself emotionally drained or lacking motivation?

If these experiences resonate with you, it's possible that you are currently facing burnout. However, it’s important to remember that you are not alone in this struggle, and we are here to offer our support as you navigate through this challenging period and regain your vitality. 

Many people think of burnout as simply being incredibly tired after a long week or month of work or school studies. But burnout is much more than a physical exhaustion; it has in fact been called the “triad of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and feelings of detachment.” 

In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, burnout has become a prevalent issue that affects people across various domains of life. Defined as a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion due to excessive and prolonged stress, burnout can significantly impact people’s overall well-being and productivity. However, with awareness and proactive measures, it is possible to prevent burnout and gain back a sense of balance and fulfillment.

What is burnout? 

Burnout is a psychological and physical response to chronic workplace or personal stress. It often occurs when an individual feels overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands or expectations. Even though burnout is commonly associated with work-related stress, it can also arise from personal relationships, caregiving responsibilities, or other life circumstances. 

Burnout can have long-lasting effects on individuals and their lives. It can make it harder for you to do your job well, causing a decline in performance. The risk of experiencing mental health problems like anxiety and depression can increase because of burnout. On top of that, it can lower your self-esteem by making you doubt your abilities and questioning your creativity. Burnout can even have a negative impact on your relationships, making it harder for your to enjoy your personal life. 

Here are some signs of burnout:

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of burnout is very important for early intervention and a return to control and better well-being. While burnout can show up in different ways for different people and stem from varying underlying causes, below are some common indicators that can help identify that you're experiencing burnout.

Pessimism

Pessimism is a significant warning sign that someone is experiencing burnout. It extends beyond being pessimistic solely about the specific stressors, such as work, school, or relationships, and encompasses a general pessimism towards life and the world as a whole. 

Sleep Issues

Experiencing burnout greatly disrupts the ability to get a good night's sleep. In such cases, individuals may struggle to fall asleep, spending hours awake in bed, or they may fall asleep but frequently wake up during the night. Insufficient quality sleep impairs the ability to effectively cope with stress, further compromising sleep quality, and perpetuating a vicious cycle. 

Sudden Physical Ailments

A major sign of burnout is suddenly experiencing physical symptoms that you never have before. For instance, many of our clients with no prior history of gastrointestinal problems or headaches will begin to have chronic issues. 

Some other signs of burnout:

• Heightened irritability and negativity: developing a pessimistic outlook, accompanied but increased irritability and impatience
• Decreased productivity: struggling to concentrate, experiencing reduced motivation, and a decline in job performance or other areas of life
• Emotional detachment: withdrawing from social interactions, feeling emotionally distant, and experiencing a sense of isolation
• Loss of interests: losing interest in activities that you used to enjoy
• Lack of self-care: neglecting your own needs, such as proper nutrition, exercise, and leisure activities

Is it Time to Speak with Someone?

Burnout shouldn’t be taken lightly. You shouldn’t try to ‘tough it out’ and get on with things. Now is the time to make your mental health a priority and seek professional help to help you overcome this challenging period. If you would like to speak with someone about what has been bothering you, please reach out to us.

SOURCES: 

https://www.everydayhealth.com/burnout/unusual-signs-of-burnout/

https://positivepsychology.com/burnout/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/burnout

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/burnout-prevention-and-recovery.htm