What are the biggest signs of burnout?
Photo by Artiom Vallat
Pay attention to these signs your mind and body might be sending.
If you’re anything like most people, you probably find yourself busy running errands, working, doing chores, and caring for people. Sometimes too much work and responsibilities can take their toll, leading to the dreaded burnout.
While symptoms of burnout may vary from person to person, here are 8 common signs your mind and body might be sending to let you know you’re experiencing burnout, even if you haven’t noticed it yet.
1. Your eating habits have changed.
“Changes in your eating habits is often a good sign of burnout,” says health writer Devon McDaniels.“You’ll either find yourself eating less or eating more without noticing it. Either way, these changes are an indicator of stress.”
2. You feel restless.
Restlessness can affect you because you won’t feel well-rested when you need it the most. Whether you’re constantly moving from one project to another, or not taking enough breaks at work, chances are you’re not as well-rested as you might’ve guessed. Even trying to sit still or quieting your mind can make it hard for you to recharge.
3. You feel less motivated.
Another sign of burnout is when you feel less motivated about doing anything, whether it’s a hobby, a job, or anything else. Losing interest in things you’ve once enjoyed can mean that you’re suffering from burnout. If stress has taken its toll on you, then that results in you losing the motivation to do things.
4. You can’t concentrate.
Find yourself struggling to read or write? Is it hard to follow or hold a conversation? There’s a reason why.
While no one is immune to mild forgetfulness during the day, having too much on your plate and stress can result in you finding it hard to concentrate on work, chores, etc.
5. You’re feeling sad and angry.
While burnout can seem like a slight annoyance at first, it can quickly turn you into a raging person, or an emotional wreck. So, it’s best to check yourself, and ask yourself why you’re feeling the way that you are.
What is going on?
Who or what made you sad and or angry today?
What needs to be done to resolve the situation?
Is the scenario as bad as it seems?
6. You can’t sleep.
If you’re stressed and overwhelmed during the day, then chances are, you’ll find it hard to sleep at night. In fact, insomnia is another sign of burnout, because for instance, if you’re worrying about finishing something before going to bed, then it can be hard to fall asleep afterwards.
Check to see if you have insomnia, or other sleep problems by watching for the following:
Sleep disturbances at least 3 nights a week, for 3 months or more
Major distresses that make it hard to sleep
Problems in your ability to function during the day
7. You find yourself self-medicating.
“Too often, we learn to self-medicate with things like alcohol, recreational drugs, and so on,” says mindfulness writer Thomas Little. “While doing these things in moderation is nothing to sneeze at, doing them obsessively as a way to cope with stress is never okay. Instead, try to reduce your drug and alcohol consumption, and consider finding other ways to self-medicate, such as relaxation techniques, exercise, or taking up a hobby.”
8. You find no joy In your favorite things.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, the loss of motivation leads to loss in interests. Burnout can make you lose interest in things you once loved. For example, if you’ve lost interest in a long-time hobby, then something’s wrong. In fact, losing interest in something you enjoy doing is a tell-tale sign of depression.
Conclusion
While it’s good to push yourself, both physically and mentally, it’s never okay to let that get to you in a way that’s interfering with your wellbeing. In fact, you might get to your breaking point eventually – that’s always never good.
So, understand that it’s okay to take breaks every so often, so that you can recharge, and prevent burnout from robbing you of the joys in life. If you feel that you need a break from the daily grind, seek help from a doctor, a therapist, and – most importantly – friends and family. And remember: everything is going to be okay.
