Deciding whether to take a vacation, staycation, or playcation?
It may be time for you to take a break from your job, routine, or demands of life. The feeling of being overworked is one that many ignore until they experience the symptoms of burnout. Once burnout occurs, its symptoms will begin to appear in your work.
What Is Burnout?
Burnout is the state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that causes a decrease in motivation, performance, and negative attitudes about others and self. The causes of burnout come from being too busy, not taking enough breaks (or any), and having an out of sync work-life balance.
Signs of Burnout
If you’re feeling mentally and emotionally drained, then you’re more likely experiencing exhaustion from your daily routines of life. Exhaustion often leads to having a lack of interest in your work or having negative thoughts about it. Some of the worst feelings that can happen are depression. If your symptoms of depression occur once you think about work, it may be caused by burnout. Becoming irritable and stressed out with coworkers or clients can also be linked to burnout. This could impact your relationship with others, or worse, cause you to lose out on amazing opportunities.
Physical symptoms that come from burnout include but are not limited to high blood pressure, headaches, overeating, using drugs, and lack of sleep. The easiest way to spot whether the physical symptom you’re having comes from burnout is by ceasing your work for a period to see whether your condition improves. There are times when symptoms may not immediately go away and would require the attention of a doctor or clinical therapist who can determine whether symptoms are linked to burnout.
How to Know if You’re Experiencing Burnout?
If you are curious and would like to know if the symptoms you are experiencing comes from being overworked in your daily life, here are a few questions you can answer for a quick self-assessment. Please note that this self-assessment is not to diagnose or confirm whether you are experiencing burnout. If symptoms affect your work, please consult a healthcare professional.
- Do you drag yourself to work and have difficulties starting it?
- Do you sense a lack of energy to do your job well?
- Are you experiencing impatience with those you work with?
- Do you find it hard to focus on your job?
- Do your accomplishments at work give you little satisfaction?
- Are you consuming food, alcohol, or any form of drug to give you contentment during your work shift?
- Has your sleep routine changed?
- Do you have physical issues such as migraines and digestive issues with no known cause?
Ways to Avoid or Decrease Burnout
If you are experiencing a burnout, it’s time to lessen its effect, or if you have not yet experienced a burnout, here are some ways you can avoid it altogether.
- Taking Time Off – Going on a vacation or take a couple days of PTO to have a self-care day are great options to cope or avoid burnout.
- Exercise Often – Adopting an exercise routine can help reduce stress and take your mind off work.
- Seek Support – Talking to others about how you feel opens the door for care and comfort. Speak with coworkers, friends, or family members about your problems. Check if your job offers employee assistance or mental health programs.
- Relaxing Hobby – After a long day of work, coming home to a relaxing hobby such as painting or cooking can ease the tension created by the workday.
To work efficiently at work, you must protect your health. Sometimes that means moving away from work for a brief period so that you can recharge your mind and body. Look for more ways you can mitigate or avoid burnout.
Physical symptoms that come from burnouts include but are not limited to high blood pressure, headaches, overeating, using drugs, and lack of sleep.
Check if your job offers employee assistance or mental health programs.