Signs of Burnout and How to Break the Cycle and Take Action for Your Wellbeing
Burnout is a common problem that affects millions of people worldwide and can have serious consequences for our health and well-being if left untreated. Burnout takes a toll on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being due to extended periods of stress and overwork. However, recognizing the signs of burnout early on can help us take action before it's too late. Here are some common symptoms of burnout and what you can do to address them:
Exhaustion
Feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally drained is one of the main signs of burnout. If you're constantly tired, even after a good night's sleep, it's time to take a step back and reassess your workload and/or personal responsibilities. A good night’s rest will alleviate everyday fatigue, but not burnout, so this is important to pay attention to.
Loss of motivation
If you've lost your passion and drive for work, it could be a sign of burnout. It's important to identify what's causing this feeling and make changes to your work environment or routine. Understand that this loss of motivation is not about who you are as a person or worker. It is an indicator that something is not working for you and that something needs to change.
Increased stress
Chronic stress is a common cause of burnout. If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or irritable, it's important to take steps to manage your stress levels. If you’re a responsible, reliable, and hard-working individual, it may be difficult for you to accept that you need to eliminate or reduce the stress in your life.
As the very popular quote says, “Just because you carry it well, doesn’t mean the load isn’t heavy.” Just because you have historically handled significant amounts of stress, doesn’t mean that you should. You will be a better employee, friend, and family member if your stress levels are reduced.
Decreased job satisfaction
If you're no longer enjoying your job and feel detached from your colleagues, it could be a sign of burnout. Take time to reflect on what's causing these feelings and make changes to improve your work-life balance. Talk with a manager or supervisor about how you’re feeling to see what adjustments can be made to your schedule. When feeling burned out, we may be tempted to give up and throw the towel in when what we might really need is an opportunity to pause, take a break, or make changes that will make our work be more sustainable.
Physical symptoms
Burnout can also manifest as physical symptoms such as headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and frequent colds or infections. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to seek medical advice. We also recommend seeking out counseling services as we know that there’s a mind-body connection. Stress and difficult emotions can take a physical toll on your body, and improving symptoms often means making changes to your circumstances, environment, and behaviors. This is where therapists can help!
Addressing burnout requires us to recognize the signs of burnout, to address the underlying causes, and seek support as needed. Strategies can include reducing your workload, taking regular breaks, practicing self-care, setting boundaries, and seeking support from friends, family, or a therapist. If you're experiencing symptoms of burnout, don't hesitate to seek help and make changes to improve your well-being.
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Interested in Online Counseling for Anxiety, Coping Skills, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue?
If you’re a Marylander who knows that counseling is the direction you need to take, the therapists at LifeSpring Counseling Services are here to help. We offer online counseling services for mindfulness, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss. We also offer Brainspotting as a specialized service, and Brainspotting can be done online, too!
Here’s how you can get started! Online counseling for anxiety, coping skills, and burnout, and compassion fatigue aren’t the only service offered at our Maryland office
The counselors and social workers at our Maryland office also offer counseling services for trauma, grief and loss, boundary setting, communication skills, and difficult life transitions. We also offer specialized counseling services including Brainspotting and spiritually-integrated counseling. Because we are located next to several local universities, we also work with college students and international students.
Photo Credit: Nataliya Vaitkevich, Mizuno K, and Karolina Grabowska
Date of download: 3/31/2023
