6 Signs You’re Headed for Burnout (and What to Do About it)

Are you feeling run down and exhausted? Are your work hours creeping up, while your time for rest and relaxation is slowly disappearing? If you’re starting to feel burnout, you’re not alone.

Burnout is a very real phenomenon, one that can easily sideline your career if left unchecked. But don’t worry – there are steps you can take to catch the warning signs early and head off burnout before it becomes a major issue.

In this blog post, we’ll outline six of the most common symptoms of burnout and provide some tips on how to address them. Read on to learn more!

2. You Suddenly Can’t Tolerate Your Job

Unfortunately, almost everyone has experienced a ‘bad job’ at some point. However, if you generally find your job fulfilling, and suddenly you find yourself too stressed to do even small tasks, this could be a sign of burnout.

It’s important to keep in mind that burnout is very different from having a stressful few days or just not liking your job. It is caused by prolonged stress and can lead to more serious consequences for your mental and physical health if it is left unaddressed.

If doing even simple tasks, or tasks that you generally enjoy, suddenly feels almost impossible, it may be a sign that you are on your way to burnout. It is important to take this seriously.

First, identify what the problem is. Do you have an intense workload? Do you not feel fulfilled by your job anymore? If your workload is so heavy that it is impacting your mental and physical health, and you have not talked to your boss about it, it may be time to do so.

3. Your Social Life Has Taken a Backseat to Burnout

If you feel like your social life has taken a hit, you’re not alone. Burnout could be behind it. With the demands of work, family, and other obligations, it’s easy to let our social lives fall by the wayside.

However, maintaining social relationships is important for our mental and physical health.

So how can you keep your social life from becoming a casualty of burnout? First, try to set aside some time each week for social activities, even if it’s just meeting a friend for coffee or going to a yoga class.

You might also consider joining a club or meetup group that aligns with your interests. Finally, don’t be afraid to reach out to old friends and acquaintances – sometimes all it takes is a quick text or email to catch up and reconnect.

4. You Don’t Enjoy Things the Way You Used To

As we get older, it’s natural for our interests and priorities to change. However, there’s a difference between evolving tastes and a general sense of apathy toward the things you used to enjoy.

If you find that you no longer derive the same level of enjoyment from activities that once brought you happiness, it could be a sign of burnout.

If this sounds familiar, it’s important to take some time for self-reflection. Try to identify the root cause of your burnout, and then see if there are any steps you can take to address it.

Whether it means making some changes at work or taking a break from your usual routine, it’s important to listen to your body and give yourself the time and space you need to recharge.

5. You Can’t Identify Why You Feel So Stressed

It’s normal to feel anxious or stressed sometimes, especially if you’re dealing with a lot of change or uncertainty in your life. It is normal to struggle with difficult situations or significant upheavals in life.

But if you’re feeling anxious and stressed more often than not, it could be a sign of burnout. This is especially true if you feel significant anxiety suddenly, but you are not sure why.

Again, this can happen to almost anyone. It is especially common for first responders and healthcare workers, who spend long hours in crisis situations or caring for others.

However, it can happen to anyone in almost any profession. There is a dangerous misconception that burnout and a variety of more serious mental health concerns only affect people with more extreme occupations. This is simply not true.

If you are struggling to identify the source of your unhappiness, it may be worthwhile to seek therapy.

6. You Struggle to Concentrate or Complete Tasks

Almost everyone struggles with these things from time to time. After all, most of us have a lot on our plates both on and off the clock. However, if you constantly struggle to find motivation and your tasks are piling up, something else may be happening.

This could be burnout, or it could be some other health issue. Here are some steps you can take to mitigate burnout if you suspect you are dealing with it:

• Take breaks during the day to rest and rejuvenate
• Set boundaries between work and personal life
• Make time for hobbies and activities outside of work
• Seek professional help if the problem persists

Often, people who are struggling will either try to ignore the problem entirely, or do something very drastic as a distraction. Usually, neither of these tactics do much to remedy the situation.

The key is to first identify what you are feeling and why, and then take appropriate steps to try and meet your needs, absent of extremes.

Final Thoughts on Coping with Burnout

Burnout is a real and serious issue, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of your career. If you can identify the signs early on, you may be able to take steps to prevent burnout from happening in the first place.

If you are already experiencing some of the symptoms, there are ways to get yourself back on track. We hope this article has been helpful!

If you are interested, you can continue to explore our blog for more information on how to stay healthy and productive while building a business in the digital age.