How to avoid signs of burnout not only provides a list of early warning signs but also explains ways to fight five major signs of burnout.
Burnout is all around us these days. Many people are suffering from burnout. They just don’t know it yet. When your hands start to shake, and you spill quite a bit of your morning coffee as you take a few sips, you may think you’re becoming nervous. No. Your trembling hands may just be one of the symptoms of burnout. Or you may picture someone who’s completely exhausted, with their feet up on the couch at the end of a stressful work week. This could be physical fatigue from overwork.
WHO burnout definitions
Many definitions, including the one from the World Health Organization (WHO), specify that burnout refers to work-related stress. For example, when your primary task at work is to supervise a dozen people and maintain operations. But there are no goals, no projects, no time alone, that’s a recipe for burnout. This is because eventually, the job will be sucking the life out of you. Your boss will soon discover you’re not on top as you used to. If you’re lucky your boss will be willing to change the job content to fit the design of a valuable employee.
Then again, burnout can result from nonwork stresses, too, and lead to less-obvious symptoms. For instance, a specific set of responsibilities like being the primary caregiver for a spouse or child with a chronic illness may trigger signs of burnout.
Besides, symptoms of burnout can be quite varied. A case in point is when burnout symptoms may overlap with symptoms of depression and other mental issues.
What are the signs of burnout?
The summary of it is that when you use your body for what is not designed to do, your body eventually breaks down. So how do you know if you, a loved one, or someone who reports to you is suffering from burnout? Here are the early warning signs to help you prioritize your well-being.
- Chronic fatigue – exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being physically run down
- Anger at those making demands
- Self-criticism for putting up with the demands
- Cynicism, negativity, and irritability
- A sense of being besieged
- Exploding easily at small things
- Headaches and stomachaches
- Weight loss or gain
- Sleeplessness and depression
- Shortness of breath
- Suspiciousness
- Feelings of helplessness
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Muscle pain
- Self-isolation
Ways to fight 5 major signs of burnout
Since burnout can have such ranging and detrimental effects on health and well-being, it’s important to recognize it and do something about it. If left untreated, burnout can have lasting physical consequences and impact your relationship or ability to work.
Chronic fatigue
Consider a change of job: Sometimes a simple change at work can help you avoid many (if not all) of the early warning signs of burnout
Self isolation
Social contact: Isolation may result from a feeling of not being appreciated or making a difference. Eventually, that can lead to relationship deterioration. Social contact can relieve stress and it’s one way of helping you to start feeling better.
Alcohol and drug abuse
Seek professional help: If you find yourself self-medicating to help cope with burnout, turning to junk food for instant gratification, or turning to alcohol or drugs, it may be time to seek help from a licensed mental health professional. He or she can help you develop strategies to avoid or recover from burnout. Also can recommend prescription medication or counseling if necessary.
Sleeplessness and depression
Take a personal assessment: if you experience sleeplessness or depression, ask yourself this question. Are you doing what you’re designed to do at work? If you have doubts, take a personal assessment of your areas of strengths and weaknesses. Examine closely what is said about you in your assessment, and what you are naturally motivated toward concerning your work. Also, seek professional help if worried.
Weight gain problem
Healthy lifestyle choices: If weight gain becomes a problem, it can increase the risk of other health issues, such as stroke, heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. To prevent or manage weight gain, embark on healthy life choices. These include healthy eating, exercise, adequate sleep, quitting smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Bottom line
A constant buildup of burnout signs can be disastrous, as burnout effects tend to affect other aspects of life too which includes a growing sense of physical and mental unwellness. And, in the end, you have trouble coping with daily life. Hence knowing how to avoid the signs of burnout will help you have a better grip on daily stresses and their negative impacts.
Photo Credit: Creative Commons
Abiola is the founder of Indulge™ group of companies, a healthy-living focused group. A passionate believer in a healthy lifestyle, living in the United Kingdom made it easy for her to pursue a health and fitness regime. She is the Managing Director/CEO of Indulge Nigeria Limited and Indulge Cares Nigeria Limited, both companies promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle for the prevention of illnesses and diseases. Abiola is available on https://www.indulgeinhealthyliving.com/
