Hey Burnout, it's me!

Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed? How about cynical or frustrated with daily life? Are you dreading going to work? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be experiencing burnout. Burnout is a state of exhaustion (i.e. mental, physical, or emotional) that is brought on by prolonged periods of stress, and sometimes we find ourselves right in the middle of it without even realizing it. We live in a society where the expectation is to be on the move constantly, and more often than not, many of us have too much on our plates. Although we can not control all the daily goings-on of our lives, there are many things we can do to help prevent or manage burnout. Recognizing burnout is a helpful skill to have so that we can more easily prevent it in the future.  

Below are the most common signs of burnout:

1. Feeling exhausted (physically, mentally, and emotionally) despite getting enough rest or sleep. 

2. Experiencing a sense of dread about going to work or a lack of motivation regarding daily tasks.

3. Having trouble focusing on tasks or having difficulty remembering things.

4. Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

5. Changes in your diet, such as increased caffeine or alcohol intake, or eating more or less food than is usual.

6. Feeling anxious, depressed, cynical, or irritable (or worsening of any mental health symptoms.)

7. Experiencing somatic symptoms such as gut issues, headaches, random aches and pains, or vision changes.

8. Using more unhelpful coping mechanisms, such as increased time on your phone or self-medicating.

9. Feeling bored or unchallenged at work.

10. Consistently calling off at work, coming in late, or leaving early.

11. Stopped engaging in regular activities you enjoy.

    
    

Burnout is preventable if recognized early and if steps are taken to manage it. Not managing burnout can lead to more severe consequences later. Being aware of burnout symptoms can help you to decide how you want to take care of yourself moving forward, whether that is talking to a professional, making changes to your self-care routine, or making choices that lead to a better work-life balance.

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Time to Reflect: If you are experiencing burnout, what is one action you can take today to take care of yourself?