If you are anything like me, you probably have been experiencing burnout and do not realize it. It took me months to figure out why I was always tired and couldn’t get anything done. I would have to push myself to accomplish tasks and then be completely wiped out afterward. Or at the end of the work week, I only wanted to turn off my phone and sleep because I was genuinely exhausted. If that sounds like you, then you are probably experiencing burnout.
According to the Mayo Clinic, burnout is “a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.” There are several reasons for you to burn out. The list goes on and on, being overworked, not having a work-life balance, and not practicing self-care. But today, I want us to review 5 signs that you might be experiencing burnout.
Sign #1. Exhaustion
Sign #1 You Are Exhausted. Have you ever gone to bed and gotten up feeling exhausted? Or, in the middle of the day, wanted a nap? If this describes you, then you might be experiencing burnout. Feeling tired when you get up, yawning throughout the day, or extremely tired when going to be are all signs of burnout. You might be physically, emotionally, socially, or mentally burnout which causes you to be exhausted.
Sign #2. Depression
Sign #2 You Feel Depressed. If you feel down, sad, useless, or lose interest in your favorite activities, you might be depressed. While several factors can cause depression, burnout can be contributed as well. When experiencing burnout affects the individual holistically. It is essential to pay attention to how you are feeling. If you are depressed, it is okay to seek help to fight your depression.
Sign #3 You’re Not Sleeping Well. Have you ever gone to bed but could not fall asleep or stay asleep? This can be a sign that you are experiencing burnout. It would be best if you got enough sleep. Sleep helps to reduce blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other diseases. If you are not sleeping well, it may be caused by high levels of cortisol (stress hormone) which burnout can increase.
Sign #4 You Get Irritated Easily. Do you get upset quickly or lose your cool quicker than before? If you are, this might be a sign of burnout.
Sign #5 Changes in Your Health. Are you gaining weight, experiencing headaches, and your blood pressure is increasing, or are you seeing other changes in your health? If you are, it could be that you are experiencing burnout. Burnout can affect you physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is essential you pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you.
I like to take quizzes to help me acknowledge that I am burnt out. The My Wellbeing Quiz is a short comprehensive quiz that identifies if you are burned out, explains the type of burnout you are experiencing and can connect you with a therapist. Try taking their quiz today to see if you are experiencing burnout.
I hope that you found this helpful. If you notice that you are experiencing any of the five signs, you might be experiencing burnout or on the verge. It is important to recognize your burnout symptoms and have a plan to deal with them.
