12 major signs of burnout
And how to avoid it
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Burnout is when your body is severely stressed, both physically and emotionally. It is your body and minds way of saying stop what you are doing and start making changes. It’s not like burnout happens overnight and often the signs start to appear subtly. Signs of burnout are appearing in younger adults, with many experiencing burnout signs as young as 30 years old.
Burnout is more common in certain personality types such as high achievers and perfectionists. These personalities tend to put enormous pressure on themselves and often take on more than they can handle, but lack the ability to recognise it. Often it is family, friends or work colleagues who notice signs of burnout first and can help by pointing out some of these signs.
- Insomnia. In the early stages of burnout, sleep may be disrupted for a few nights here and there but as stress levels increase, the ability to fall asleep, stay asleep and have quality sleep are all affected.
- Preoccupation with work. Being dedicated to the job is one thing but when you cannot relax and cannot stop thinking about what work you should be doing, it is a sign you are heading down the path of burnout.
- Conflict at home and work. When the small issues are turning in big concerns and anger results, it is a major sign that the body is feeling stressed. When this behaviour is not normal, family, friends and work colleagues become aware of the change in moods and this should ring alarm bells that something is wrong.
- Forgetfulness. Lacking focus and forgetting important events or meetings, is a warning sign of burnout. If this is left untreated, this will result in poor quality work and a decrease in work performance.
- Depression. This may begin with mild depression or sadness but often leads to feelings of immense guilt and worthlessness due to decreased performance levels. With any form of depression, medical advice is essential.
- Lacking motivation. When you are struggling to get out of bed or no longer feeling enthusiastic about work, this lack of motivation is a major sign of burnout.
- The negative starts to outweigh the positive. If you are normally a glass half full person but lately everything seems to be half empty, it’s time to look into whether you are suffering burnout. The power of the mind can turn exhaustion into negativity and that only leads to a downward spiral.
- Not taking care of yourself. Often unhealthy coping skills come into play like excessive drinking, smoking or unhealthy eating start to become the norm and this often results in a weakened immune system resulting in illness.
- Loss of appetite. Any dramatic change in appetite should be looked at by a medical expert. It is common to have a reduced appetite when the body is stressed but when loss of appetite is combined with a lack of sleep and depression, it is a disaster waiting to happen.
- Exhaustion. When the simple, every task like showering or making a coffee become challenging, fatigue has overtaken the body and mind and burnout is inevitable.
- Believing nothing is ever good enough. The harder you work, the more you start believing that you will never achieve your goals or live up to other people’s expectations.
- Disinterested in being around others. When being around people, including friends and family, seems like a chore and holds no enjoyment, it can be a sign of burnout.
I had a major burnout just over a year ago, something I didn’t see coming. I knew I was feeling negative and angry all the time but I thought it was simply because I was busy and needed to relax. I was unaware of what it was doing to my body and mind until I finally accepted what was happening and took steps to turn things around.
It took a professional to get me back on track, something I am so grateful for getting the right help. Sometimes we are just NOT OK and that is OK but there is nothing wrong with getting a little help to get you back on track.
Have an awesome day
Linking up with Kylie for IBOT & Honest Mum
Then it’s official. I have burnout. I was thinking I did … but this list confirms it.
Mine is due to too many real life challenges this year.
Oh Leanne, hope you are OK. I wish I knew these points early on as I hit rock bottom and needed special professional help to get back to the person I wanted to be. Take deep breaths and make a few changes. You’re the most important person in your life.
Dear Leanne, I have been worried about you..I too suffered burnout and sought professional help like Nat says and it also means reviewing as much in your life as you have control over…always up for a chat. Denyse xx
great advice Denyse.
Good post. I can see a few of these in me at the moment. Will watch it (too bad loss of appetite isn’t one of them!)
The appetite part can go either way can’t it – some eat and some don’t. Trust a woman to want the not eat part.. lol
I’m glad you’re back on track, Natalie. A lot of the above is familiar for me and it’s worrying. I’m looking forward to doing your course. I need to prioritise myself and make the time.
It’s like the universe sends us a few signs and it is not until we actually open our eyes that we see the signs clearly. Looking forward to you doing the course too.
We have to be mindful- many of these are too easy to ignore until that’s no longer possible!
Very true Amy. Some are just everyday things that alter depending on what is happening but when you start to see most of them entering your life, it’s time for changes.
Good to know what points to look out for. I’m also keeping a close eye on my twins as they progress through their stressful and super busy HSC year!
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
Absolutely Ingrid. parenting often gets harder as they need us in such different ways. I was only talking to my 17yr on Saturday about this and she said she feels very mature and grown up but still comes back to me first when anything doesn’t work out as planned.
I certainly have the fatigue right now! But I’m unsure how soon I should expect to feel better, so I’m playing it by ear.
You have been through lots lately so don’t put pressure on yourself. Your little body needs a little time to recover.
I am working through burn out at the moment. We’ve made some significant changes on the work front that should begin to ease my stress load quickly. Day by day xx
And from what I have read, those changes will be worth all the stress you have been through. I read your blogs and you do such an amazing job, Nicole, don’t ever doubt that.
Not sure if it burnout but I get like this now and again as things pile up. I feel like I have to go through it and then I can pick myself back up again and start seeing everything in a more positive light.
Sometimes it’s the universes only way to get your attention that things need to change.
I need to keep a close eye on myself…
Maybe reading this today Bron was a sign for you to take a breath and analyse whether anything needs to change. Burnout is a costly thing – both emotionally and physically, worth it to be a few steps ahead.
I experienced major burn out a few years ago and made some significant changes as a result, I also went through it again last year but am on the up again now. Your list is very helpful.
You sound like me Vicki, we don’t always learn the first time around. I would love to hear how you recovered and managed to keep your head above water.
This was me last year and it was a terrible period. It wasn’t until Dave confronted me about how I was behaving and expressed concern that I really figured out and started being able to see my way clear of it. great post, Nat, it’s definitely something that can happen to anyone at any time!
Have totally been here. Always a good to have a reminder to check yourself. Thanks for this!
Hopefully you don’t head there again
I’ve been here a few times over the years. I’m a perfectionist and find it impossible to delegate which makes things tricky when i get busy and under stress. I’m glad to hear you got the help you needed and were able to move though it x
Ahhh the perfectionist… I know a few of these. You are very susceptible to burnout because of the difficulty of letting go and relaxing. The fact you know you are one is a massive step forward.
Check everyone’s comments…OMG..it is us isn’t it? We do this TO ourselves in so many ways. I did too. It was the result of my burnout in 2002 that I chose to relinquish my role as a school principal. And even with what we read and know about it, it is often late into it that we come to that realisation. A very important topic that needs to be talked about more. Denyse x
Thanks lovely Denyse. I think we don’t talk about it until we have recovered as it is still a sign of failing or weakness – and women are strong right??? I agree we need to talk more.
I feel for the young raising families today with all the pressures, high mortgages, school fees, high cost of living, high expectations of their children and them selves, extra after school activities, long working hours inside and outside the home… the list just goes on and on. I know we all had these pressures at one time in our lives but back when I was raising a large family I was fortunate enough not required to be in the work force… I had time during the day to catch my breath, play a little sport and catch up with friends before the onslaught started.
Very good advice Natalie.., take a deep breath and try and slow down… I know easier said than done.
You are doing a great job and “you are worth it”
Thanks, gorgeous Mum. I get all my strength from you.
I really need to watch preoccupation with work as I’m a perfectionist and I want to get things done accurately and quickly. But I know where it can lead and make sure I take some time out.
The fact that you are aware of it Rob means you are already one step ahead. When things are not going well, I always say take a breath and stop. You can’t sort problems out when you are completely stressed.
I struggled with burnout back in 2013 when I was burning the candle at both ends. Then in 2015-2016, I struggled with depression which probably looked like burnout but given that I was unhappy at home and work and socially, I think it was depression more than burnout. Self-care is so important and it’s one thing I do take seriously now as my job can be one where burnout is inevitable if we don’t look after ourselves.
Thanks for sharing Sanch. Burnout and depression are two very hard conditions to handle, especially in your profession. I am so happy you have found self-care in your life and it is a part fo your every day.
Thank you for this incredibly helpful list. I know that I need to keep an eye on myself as I could definitely start to edge this way if I’m not careful. Your post has encouraged me to start taking better care of myself #brillblogposts
Always remember you are the most important person in your life and if YOU doesn’t work, neither does your life.
It’s so great to know what to look out for – sometimes we ignore serious symptoms thinking that we are just busy or stressed.
It’s very common but ignoring it just makes it worse.