The culture we live in values working overtime and spending a lot of time dealing with tasks and projects related to one’s job. The higher you are on the corporate ladder, the greater the chance you’re dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety. Managing multiple clients, projects and tasks might seem exciting at first, but over time it’s easy to develop symptoms of burnout without even noticing. Many people end up feeling quite ill due to the fact that they were not able to recognise the symptoms of exhaustion. If you find yourself lost and unsure of your next steps amid too much work pressure, here are the most common effects of burnout and how to treat them.
1. Everything irritates you
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Has your partner left their dirty socks on the floor again? Or is that annoying co-worker slurping their iced coffee so loudly that it drives you absolutely crazy? If you have noticed that everything irritates you to the maximum, it may actually be a sign of burnout rather than something to get used to. Being prone to angry outbursts or lacking patience is never pleasant, so instead of sucking it up, it is advisable to find help and heal yourself. Taking some time off work can be of great help, especially if you’ve been spending a lot of time in your office lately.
2. There is nothing to look forward to anymore
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Constant pessimism and emotional detachment can be signs of burnout, but also of depression, so if you have noticed that you lack enthusiasm for things that you usually enjoy, it might be down to burnout. Withdrawing yourself from certain events and feeling a lack of motivation are serious issues that need to be addressed. If your symptoms persist, see your GP or a mental health professional who will be able to help you learn coping strategies.
3. Your sleep is not what it used to be
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A good night’s sleep is vital to your health, and constant work stress can affect the quality of your sleep. If you’ve been having trouble falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night or having nightmares, it’s important to do something about it. Sleeping pills can be a quick fix, but they aren’t a long-term solution. Talk to your GP about better sleep habits and other options, especially if you also experience ongoing anxiety and restlessness.
4. Time management has become an impossible task
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When you are preoccupied with work, you tend to get lost and forget about other things that matter. That’s why many people who suffer from burnout have terrible time-management skills. The good news is that this can be fixed, but it’s important to become more organised and learn to prioritise. Using time-management apps and techniques to organise your day-to-day life can take a huge load off your back. Also, finding a way to delegate your tasks to other people in your team will be of great help as you won’t feel so pressured and busy anymore.
5. Using unhealthy ways to cope
Working too much does not leave you with enough room to have a lot of hobbies, which is why many over-stressed people find solace in unhealthy and damaging behaviour such as excessive drinking or overeating. Hence, it’s important to replace those negative habits with positive and healthy ones, so next time you feel like forgetting your work troubles, it’s better to take a walk than go to a bar. Doing yoga, meditation, running and preparing healthy snacks are all fun activities that will boost your self-esteem and reduce stress.
Conclusion
Burnout is a serious problem that often gets overlooked or brushed under the carpet. Addressing the symptoms of burnout is the first step to recovery, and a health professional can help you choose the treatment that suits you. Therapy, breathing techniques, herbal teas and oils or eventually, a change of job are all things worth considering if you want to be productive, happy and unburdened at work.
If you need support, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Hero shot: Photo by Fin MacBrayne on Unsplash
