Five Signs of Burnout and How to Prevent It

Do you leave work each day feeling deflated and completely unmotivated? If you’re constantly feeling physically and mentally drained, you may very well be experiencing burnout. Many employees, even those who generally like their jobs, experience burnout at some point throughout their careers. One of the most important things you can do is take steps now to prevent burnout, so you can feel your best and be successful at your job.

Here are five major signs of burnout, and what you can do to prevent it.

1. Physical Exhaustion

Long work hours and lack of sleep is the perfect combination for extreme exhaustion, which can lead to serious health issues. To maintain physical health, you must make stress management a priority – no matter how hectic your work schedule may seem. Tips for managing stress and improving your physical health include practicing deep breathing; getting regular exercise; and engaging in daily meditation.

2. Low Tolerance for Others

When you’re at the end of your rope, it’s easy to snap at co-workers and loved ones. Low tolerance is often the result of feeling burned out, which can wreak havoc on your personal and professional relationships. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s best to take some time to cool off on your own before engaging in conversations with others. Whether it’s a short walk or getting a cup of tea, taking time for yourself on a regular basis will help you become less irritated with others and improve the quality of your relationships.

3. Lack of Motivation

One of the most overlooked signs of burnout is depression and general lack of motivation at work. It’s normal to feel tired and uninspired sometimes; however, feeling unmotivated for weeks or months can have a very negative impact on your professional growth. To combat this sign of burnout, it’s essential you remind yourself to work with a purpose. This means looking at the impact of your work and identifying ways in which you make a difference. The more meaning you can give to even just your everyday tasks, the more fulfilled you will feel at work and in your life.

4. Emotional Outbursts

Overly stressed employees are quick to be dramatic and have emotional outbursts at work – even over the most minor conflicts. If you find yourself constantly in conflict with others, it’s time to evaluate the root cause of your outbursts and learn ways to better manage your emotions. For example, you may be feeling stressed due to too many projects on your plate. Or, maybe you have an unresolved issue with a co-worker. The longer you wait to address these issues, the more likely they’ll be to affect you and worsen over time.

5. Poor Job Performance

A telltale sign of burnout in most employees is declining job performance over an extended period. If you’ve been slacking on the job and making frequent mistakes, it’s time to take a step back and assess what exactly is causing these issues. Reaching out to your boss to address what’s causing inferior performance will help you get back on track and find ways to cope better with your workplace struggles.

Your ability to identify signs of burnout is the first step to preventing it in the first place. If you feel yourself experiencing any of the signs above to a great extent, it’s best to take action so your burnout doesn’t affect your career, and most importantly, your health. If you are looking for more wellness tips at work or for assistance on your search for a new job, contact On Time Staffing today.

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