Burnout is not just a result of long hours. The depression and pessimism of burnout can occur when you’re not in control of how you do your job, when you’re doing things everyday that don’t resonate with you, and when you lack social support. If you don’t tailor your life – in and out of the office to match your true calling, or at least take a break once in a while – you could face some serious mental and physical health issues which can leave you debilitated.
Are You Getting Burned Out?
Burnout is more than being tired in the morning or hitting an afternoon slump on the job once in a while. It’s the cumulative effect of an extended period of stress that can be caused by a number of factors.
If you are feeling a combination of the symptoms below, you may be near burnout.
Mental Exhaustion: You just can’t face another task like the ones you’ve been doing for what seems like forever.
Physical Exhaustion: You wake up feeling physically tired and this persists throughout the day. .
Lack of Concentration: You are struggling to think clearly and concentrate on what you’re doing. This, in turn, impacts your ability to make decisions, solve problems, and meet your obligations.
Decline in performance at work: You’re missing deadlines at work and your struggling to meet your responsibilities.
Apathy: You just can’t seem to get motivated. Nothing you do seems to be important and this feeling is carrying over into your personal life. You just don’t care anymore.
How Can You Avoid It?
Prioritize Self Care: You need to spend more time doing what you love and re-adjust your work life balance. When you’re at work, be present. But when you go home, turn work off. Eat well, exercise, and get at least 8 hours of sleep.
Talk to your manager: No employer wants to see an employee who is stressed out and not doing well. Sometimes the easiest way to make a change is by having a conversation. Try talking to your manager about how you’ve been feeling and see if there’s a way to change your circumstance, perhaps by adjusting your schedule, assignments, or work location.
Look to your future: If you’re not happy in the role you’re in now, consider going back to school, or mapping out a career plan. Having something promising to look forward to will help give you the motivation to push through and overcome your burnout.
Talk to a professional: There are a ton of coping skills and techniques you can implement to help you turn your burnout around. The best way to learn these skills is to work with a liscensed talk therapist.
