What are the signs of burnout? First, it’s important to know what exactly “burnout” means.
According to the National Institutes of Health, burnout is a term that was coined in the 1970’s by an American psychologist. The term is widely used today to describe the condition where people experience various symptoms, including mental exhaustion, feeling unmotivated, detached and helpless, feeling like a failure, having an increasingly pessimistic outlook, and not feeling satisfied with life.
People who experience burnout often feel like they have a lot of bad days, that the things they do don’t matter, and that they are not appreciated. These feelings all lead to a decrease in life satisfaction, and until it’s addressed, things will stay the same or even continue to decline.
Many people suffer from burnout in their careers and life in general, but may not realize it. Going through the motions, dreading the fact that it’s time to go to work and feeling mentally exhausted are draining.
They can take a toll on one’s attitude, work performance, and quality of life. Knowing the signs of burnout and what to do about it can make a difference.
“We live in a time when all we do is rush from one point to the next, constantly being busy with work, tasks, and life chores,” explains Katie Sandler, personal development and career coach. “Before long, this can lead to people feeling emotionally depleted.”
Recognizing the signs and taking action can help people overcome them and feel great. It can also help ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
Take a look at these 5 signs you may be burnt out, and how you can handle them:
5 Signs of Burnout and What You Can Do About Them
1.Take a serious look at your job. Burnout is often caused because people are not satisfied with their careers. When this happens, it’s time to determine what can be changed. Perhaps it’s time to switch jobs or make a plan to move into a new career field.
Or try cutting back on the number of hours worked that may be contributing to the problem. Some people put too many hours in at the office, and others still take their work home once they leave it. Set boundaries so that there are hours when work is not a part of your life and schedule.
2. Work on improving your attitude. Ways to do this include practicing gratitude, meditation, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that bring you joy. Your work-life balance must be regulated in order to help create happiness.
3. Pay close attention to those you around you. Limit the time spent with people who are overly negative or drain you emotionally. This goes for people at work and in your personal life, including family members.
4. Take some time off. Taking a sabbatical or planning a vacation doesn’t have to be fancy. It just needs to be something that will allow you to relax, unwind, and re-charge. Relaxation time needs to be a part of your weekly schedule too.
5. Get help if you feel that you cannot overcome it by yourself. Work with an impact coach, career coach, or counselor to get the help you need to help move things in the right direction.
“I’ve worked with many people to help them address and avoid burnout,” added Sandler. “When you finally take control and stop letting it control you, you will improve your quality of life. It’s better to address it now rather than let it go on, getting worse.”
Sandler has worked with many people who experience burnout to help them identify a plan for personal achievement, take steps to reach goals, and identify areas that need improvement. She provides people with meaningful tools that they can use to help bring calm and insight into their life. In addition to working with individuals, she offers luxury impact retreats.
Sandler has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in mental health counseling, has a strong foundation in mindfulness-based stress reduction, and has worked in hospitals and private practice. She previously spent time as a research assistant while at Johns Hopkins, focusing on purpose in life. To learn more about Katie Sandler and her services, or to see the retreat schedule, visit the site: https://katiesandler.com/.
Impact coach Katie Sandler helps you re-charge by identifying signs of burnout and dealing with them in a positive way.