Burnout at Work and How to Deal with it

Suffering from burnout at work is very serious problem. It can affect your productivity, your stress levels, and your general mental health if you feel overworked or just plain sick of your job.

There are several different things that can contribute to burnout and it manifests in different ways. Many people are likely to experience burnout from work in one form or another during their career.

The following article will outline some of the signs of burnout and give advice on how you can take action to avoid suffering from work-related burnout yourself.

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You don't Care as Much

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Perhaps the first sign of job burnout is a loss of motivation. If you're experiencing burnout at work, whatever was previously pushing you to work hard and take pride in your efforts is no longer a strong driving force. Whether that derives from fatigue, boredom, or being overworked, a lack of motivation can be a real problem.

A good way to combat this is to take the time to remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing. What are your long term goals? Are you working towards a promotion? Are you trying to provide for loved ones? Or are you simply going through the motions at the workplace without any real direction?

If the answer to that last question resembles anything close to a "yes", then it's worth considering if your current job is the right one for you. It's easy to get stuck in a monotonous routine where the default is to just do and not think.

Properly consider your current circumstances and where you want to be in life. If it's not right, make a change and prevent burnout before the symptoms drain any more energy.

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You're Putting in Less Effort

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One very pertinent symptom of job burnout is reduced effort or energy. If you find yourself putting in the bare minimum of effort just to get through the day or get the latest task out the way, you're likely suffering from some form of workplace burnout.

Effort is a crucial component of working life. The less effort or energy you put into something, the worse the output is likely to be.

Failing to take pride in your work is a dangerous and slippery slope. The reasons for reduced effort are numerous but they are usually associated with being either fed up or uninterested in what you're doing.

If you're fed up, the work you're doing may not be sufficiently challenging or may be overly repetitive. Whatever the case, try to find a way to address and change that. Perhaps approach the task in a different way or try to take on different responsibilities in your role at the workplace.

If you're uninterested in your work then it may be time for a change of tact, also. Taking on new work outside of your general day to day job will broaden your horizons and add something a bit more engaging to your day.

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Your Output has Taken a Hit

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When you don't care and you don't put in the effort, the work you produce is going to inevitably take a hit. If this is the case, you're no doubt experiencing burnout. Not only is this is a problem for you, but it's also an issue for your employer or clients.

Mental health and self-care should come first, but when you consider that your job may be on the line, it makes this point all the more important. If you cannot meet the standard expected of you due to exhaustion or lack of energy, taking a break from work may be the best course of action to improve performance and your overall experience.

The worst outcome is that you lose your job or clients as a result of job burnout. Avoid that by taking yourself out of the firing line if you know that you cannot produce what is expected of you.

Emotional exhaustion and stress can be ameliorated with some time off and some stress management strategies. It may be the key to reducing the symptoms of burnout and could save your job.

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You Feel Tired All the Time

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We all feel tired sometimes but if tiredness has become the norm, something is obviously not right. Stress and burnout cause fatigue and a lack of sleep may be adding to this. The best cure for this is undoubtedly to rest.

Make sure you're using the time off work to rest as much as you can and are not adding to the problem. If that isn't enough, then taking a break from work is probably the best course of action. Work-related exhaustion is normal, but when it begins affecting your mental health, you ought to put yourself first.

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Your Physical Health is Suffering

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This should ring bells. If you are suffering physically from job burnout, you need to take measures to stop this immediately. Insomnia, headaches, dizziness, chest pains, and shortness of breath are all potentially serious physical side effects of burnout.

Mental health issues aren't always the easiest to spot, but these physical health issues shouldn't be ignored. Once again, rest and recovery is advised. It is also a very good idea to speak to a medical professional and get an informed opinion. Even if it's just something as small as a recurring headache, it's best to talk to someone about it.

Addressing any physical health issues will reduce your stress over time and get you back on the path to feeling yourself again.

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Bottom Line

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Performance at work is obviously important, but above all else, your health needs to take precedence. If you're suffering from work-related burnout, don't ignore it. Make sure you are proactive and do something about it today as it will benefit you and everyone around you.