It’s normal for everyone to feel tired of their job at one point or another. After all, it’s pretty unrealistic to expect a person to constantly love their job 100% of the time. However, if you constantly feel that way, or you feel like you’re going nowhere with your life, then those might be signs of burnout.
But what exactly is burnout?
In a nutshell, being burned out means that you’re physically and emotionally exhausted from your job. It’s not necessarily a medical condition, but problems such as depression and anxiety can cause burnout.
These days, more and more people are suffering from being burned out. Working in a high-pressure environment and having a lot on your plate can easily make the stress pile up and leave you constantly tired and dispassionate about your job.
Knowing the signs of burnout can help you start making steps to alleviate the effects of burnout and even prevent it entirely.
The telltale signs of burnout
Whenever people hear the word “burnout,” they usually picture someone who’s at the end of their rope, someone who’s at the lowest point of their life. However, it’s entirely possible for someone who’s burned out to be pretty successful in their career.
You can have a great car, a high-paying job, and a fat wallet but still suffer from burnout.
It all boils down to how you feel about your life, what you’re doing, and where you’re headed.
Here are some of the signs that you need to watch out for:
- Feeling cynical at work
- Losing interest in what you’re doing
- Not seeing the point of the job you have
- Losing passion for and interest in the things you used to love
- Constantly feeling tired and fatigued
- Unable to have a good night’s sleep
- Having difficulty concentrating on work-related tasks
- Drinking more, or even using drugs to cope with stress
- Unsatisfied with success or achievements
- Irritable, or easily getting angry or frustrated
- Having trouble waking up in the morning
If you’re experiencing any of the signs of burnout, then it might be a good idea to take a step back and start doing something about it.
Ignoring these signs can have a negative impact on your career, your family, and your mental health. It’s always a good idea to deal with the problem before it starts to go out of control.
What can you do about it?
If you think that you’re suffering from burnout, the first thing to do is to take a much-needed break. Having some time off will help you relieve stress, relax, and calm down and give you time to weigh your options and see what you can do about your situation.
Try to identify what’s causing the burnout and think of ways to deal with it. If your work hours are the problem, or if there’s constantly too much work on your plate, then try talking to your employer and strike a deal with them. Try to reach a compromise or a solution that will work well for you and your employer.
Another thing that you can do is to expand your hobbies. Not having any hobbies or activities that you can do outside of work will make your life pretty boring, which can make you lose interest in your job. That’s why it’s important to “have a life” outside your work, so to speak. Expand your horizons, try out different things, and explore your interests.
You could also try meditation as a means of dealing with stress at work. Meditation and mindfulness help lower anxiety and stress levels, and help clear your mind.
If you feel that you can’t handle your stress alone, then don’t be afraid to seek help. If you think that you’re suffering from depression as a result of being burned out, consult with a therapist or a psychiatrist. There are also a lot of support groups that you can join. Talking with co-workers or close friends and family about your concerns is also a good idea to help deal with burnout.
The important thing to remember is that just because you’re burned out doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. You can always find a solution so long as you’re focused on dealing with your problems.
