When you get up in the morning do you find yourself sluggish and dreading the day? Have you been feeling all-around exhausted on a regular basis? You may be experiencing burnout.
Burnout is a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. This occurs when we feel overwhelmed and unable to meet our everyday demands. It can feel as if you are a dog chasing its tail – feeling we will never be able to catch up.
Burnout can occur in the workplace, but it also occurs in your personal life. All kinds of things can contribute – taking care of the house, running the kids around and falling into an everyday routine. Burnout can also occur in kids, especially when it comes to sports.
So what are the symptoms?
Physical
- Feeling tired and/or sick
- Change in appetite and/or sleep habits
Emotional
- Sense of failure or loss of motivation
- Detachment from others
- Feeling helpless, trapped and defeated
Behavioral
- Withdrawing from responsibilities
- Taking out your frustrations on others
- Skipping work, coming in late regularly or leaving early
How can I avoid burnout?
- Start your day off with a relaxing routine – maybe enjoy a cup of coffee before jumping into the shower.
- Watch what you eat and get active.
- Power down! Set a time during the day when you can shut down all of your devices to refresh your mind.
- Pick up a new hobby or bring back one that you used to have more time for.
Worried you may be on the brink of burnout? Check out this article for more tips on how to prevent the slippery slope.