For some people, identifying a burnout can be challenging. After all, it is\u00a0easy to brush off the red flags as signs of justifiable stress every person has to face, attribute these signs to a particularly busy time at work or blame it on the pandemic and think you’ll be fine when it passes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ignoring burnout can ultimately be detrimental to your well-being. You should acknowledge and be equipped to address a burnout to avoid it snowballing into a bigger problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are three telltale signs you may be suffering from a burnout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one is excited about work 100% of the time. However, if you’re constantly dreading the start of a workday and find yourself counting down the minutes till the anguish ends, it can become very unhealthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your work is a big part of your life – in terms of the number of hours you spend on it each day, the social circle you build, and even as a part of your identity. Your lack the drive to do your best and an evaporation in any sense of work fulfilment can lead to bigger problems in your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not only are you unmotivated by what you do, but you may also be actively distancing yourself or decreasing your involvement in projects you\u2019re working on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your level of productivity has also significantly decreased, with increasing errors in your work. You may only put in the bare minimum into what you do instead of trying to achieve the best results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are mentally and physically exhausted. You feel drained, lack\u00a0focus and are generally unable to cope with work (no matter how much or little you have on your plate). Headaches have become a daily routine and you feel anxious and suffer from a loss of appetite. These are red flags to look out for, especially over a prolonged period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unplug From Work<\/strong>: It is important to\u00a0completely\u00a0<\/em>disconnect from work \u2013 by refraining from checking emails or returning work-related calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can make use of your annual leaves to do this. However, it can be doubly hard to completely unplug as work-from-home arrangements and inability to travel means work is always a click away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should engage in activities that genuinely relax you, such as taking a walk in the park or treating yourself to a spa day. This can help immensely in re-energising and motivating you as you return to work eventually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find an Outlet<\/strong>: Relieve all the (pent-up) stress by taking up a hobby (especially a physical activity) that can also boost your health. Otherwise, confide your stress and frustrations to a trusted family member or friend. However, strive to maintain a balance between expressing your frustrations and complaining all the time, as the latter is not a constructive way to deal with your existing problems but might further entrench your negative sentiments about work.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n