Signs of Burnout at Work

There once was a time when the weekend was glorious. You took care of household chores, spent time with family, read a novel or watched a movie, and worshipped God with your much-loved church family. But then, Sunday night, you felt it creeping over you. That dreaded feeling that overtakes you every Sunday night. You have hit burnout at work.

As time wears on, you notice those feelings now consume your evenings and your weekends. You feel on edge, irritable, depressed, and physically ill at the thought of going back to work. Yet, you have no choice. You have bills to pay and adult responsibilities.

Is something happening with you, or are these signs of burnout at work?

The Signs of Burnout at Work

Are you displaying the signs of burnout at work? Have coworkers commented on your mood or attitude? Do you notice your patience seems thin around customers or clients? If so, you might be in burnout mode.

The following is a list of common signs of burnout at work.

• You feel dread the evening before work
• You feel like you do not fit in with the culture or the people at work
• You struggle to get to work and clock in
• Your supervisor makes comments about your lack of motivation
• You cannot concentrate on tasks
• You lose patience with coworkers, supervisors, and customers
• You feel exhausted
• Your sleep routine has changed
• Your appetite has changed
• You experience headaches, stomachaches, and other unexplainable physical ailments
• You snap at loved ones
• You feel depressed or anxious
• You do not feel like you contribute anything to your job
• Your position no longer fulfills you

Job burnout can affect all areas of your life, including your physical and mental health.

If your job is misaligned with your values, you will feel out of sync and struggle to reach satisfaction in the workplace. For example, if your priorities include values like peace and family, but your job requires you to work overtime or have mandatory days that make you miss important school events, you will struggle with burnout and feel guilty for missing time with your family.

Managing Job Burnout

Consider your values and options to manage burnout at work. Think about ways you can shift your mindset about your job. Do you think about your work as just a job or work that God has given you at this time? Do you count the work hours, or do you view the position as a stepping stone to something better?

The following are some ways to manage job burnout:

Get to the bottom of what is draining you

Discuss your concerns with your supervisor if you feel drained due to work procedures or a staff shortage. Can you suggest ideas to make the workflow smoother? Not only would your ideas be needed in the workplace, but your supervisor may be impressed with them. If your workplace has no plans to improve, then you might want to consider searching for a new job.

Set career goals

An improved mindset can change your mood and perspective. Don’t look at your job as simply a means to an end. Think of it as a stepping stone to something better and view each day and each task as training for your desired career. Set career goals and then ask how your current situation will prepare you for that.

Engage in a hobby

You cannot fill your days with all work and no play. Find time to engage in a favorite hobby. Maybe spend a morning off work fishing by the lake or curl up in the evenings with a good book. List your favorite hobbies and schedule time in your calendar for the month to do a few.

Journal your thoughts, frustrations, goals, and blessings

Journaling is an effective tool for expressing thoughts, concerns, and solutions on paper. You can use your journal to vent your frustrations, problem-solve, track healthy meals and exercise, and record your sleep hours. You may find that your journal becomes indispensable, and you carry it everywhere to jot in it throughout the day.

Bonus Tip: Acknowledge blessings

Don’t forget to record the things you are grateful for daily. When we acknowledge our blessings, we become more aware of the world and God’s hand in our lives.

Counseling Help for Burnout at Work

If the signs of burnout at work sound familiar, consider trying the tips listed above and then contact our center to schedule an initial session with a counselor. You do not have to live with job burnout or allow it to affect your relationships and mental health. We would love to help you. Give us a call today.