People often say they have “burnout” just to describe any feeling of being stressed, overwhelmed, or overworked.
But the term is often used too generally, whereas real burnout is an actual state of complete emotional and mental exhaustion.
If you don’t get help for your burnout, it can lead to a lot of negative consequences in your personal and professional life, and make it much harder to get out of. Here are some warning signs that you might be facing burnout.
It is Getting Harder to Complete Simple Tasks
When you complete the same task several times, you know approximately how long it takes you to complete and how difficult it is.
But when you suddenly take 2-3 times longer to finish that same task or you can’t seem to focus long enough to ever get it done, that is definitely a warning sign that something is wrong.
Don’t ignore these moments when it is hard to do even the simplest of things, that you used to breeze right through. Sometimes it may be a sign that something else is going on.
You Have Severe Mood or Behavioral Changes
There are many reasons to have mood shifts or behavioral changes, like stress and anxiety, but burnout can also be added to this list. You should never ignore changes with your mood, attitude, or behaviors.
Maybe you are falling back into unhealthy habits and it is becoming a crutch for dealing with your negative motions, or you are getting irritable and angry at your loved ones at the drop of a hat.
Sometimes, when you face burnout, the stress can overpower your logical thinking and it becomes harder to keep your cool.
Increase in Mental Health Problems
When you have burnout or overwhelm, you might notice that your other mental health disorders are also getting worse, like anxiety. Never ignore mental illnesses that seem to be getting worse, whether you are getting them treated or not.
Lack of Energy or Severe Fatigue
Have you noticed that it takes all your energy just to take a shower or get in your car to run simple errands? Among other things, this could also be a warning sign of burnout.
If you have ruled out physical reasons for the fatigue or energy loss, it is time to consider your mental health and see if you might leading toward burnout. There are some practical ways to deal with your burnout.
No Interest in Social Activities
You might also find that you don’t have much interest in anything you used to enjoy. This can apply to relaxing at night and watching TV, reading, spending time with friends, or creative projects.
Keep in mind this can also be a warning sign for depression, and many people experience both depression and burnout at the same time.
Finally, remember burnout does not need to be a life sentence. It can feel insurmountable, however it’s your body’s way of telling you that something needs to be fixed.