The role of an executive requires a high level of expertise in various capacities such as managing projects, staff, and budgets. These duties may often require your attention outside of your regular shift and because of your commitment to achieving company goals, you don’t hesitate when it comes to meeting the demand. This may cause you to ask yourself, am I burned out?
Depending on how long you’ve been working, your career may be affecting the way you manage your personal life. Symptoms of burnout are not always recognizable due to the sense of feeling like you can’t shake off the tiredness. Despite your desire to maintain control, there are signals your body may be sent to let you know that you’re overworked.
You don’t have to struggle any longer trying to solve the am I burned-out puzzle. Here are seven ways you can tell if you may be suffering from burnout symptoms
1. Fatigue Stays Longer than Expected
Burnout can creep into your life subtly. You may have convinced yourself that working a little longer to finish a report, responding to emails, and preparing for a meeting won’t hurt you.
However, if you’ve been experiencing fatigue that won’t go away after getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep, your work could be the cause of why you keep thinking am I burned-out? You may not want to admit that your body can’t handle the prolonged excessive stress, but if left unaddressed, the stress may begin to affect you emotionally.
2. Loss of Interest that Leads to Low Morale
Working hard may be the core of your career ethics standard, but working without incentive or mental stimulation can be very challenging. If your goal is to attain a high level of success on your work projects, but you’re struggling to find worth in the tasks you’re assigned, burnout may be the factor behind your apathy.
Results from a survey designed to evaluate the burnout status of more than 400 employees who worked at a university revealed that when an employee’s job does not provide an environment that fosters personal development, employees will lose interest or leave their job.
3. Your Appetite has Increased or Decreased
Eating to sustain your energy is a requirement everyone needs to meet. However, if you’re opting for food that is increasing your body weight or contributing to your high blood pressure or sugar levels, burnout could be the underlying reason you’re craving high carb foods.
On the other hand, you may have lost your appetite because you’re constantly thinking about work especially if you’ve been thinking am I burned-out? Statistics indicate that change in appetite is a result of stress.
4. Falling Asleep Quickly Is a Challenge
Sleep can be refreshing and contributes to the healing of your body. However, it can be difficult to obtain when your body is in work mode while you are in bed. Your body and mind should work in harmony when it comes to maintaining a healthy sleep rhythm. When this pattern is interrupted, sometimes your body thinks it should be up when it is time to fall asleep. This can cause you to think am I burned-out?
5. Health Problems Are not Subsiding
Medical problems can arise due to a poor diet, but stress can also cause and exacerbate existing health issues. Burnout can cause a constant state of anxiety and depression can present physical symptoms.
The only way to rule out these conditions and link low work performance to burnout symptoms is to conduct a thorough physical and mental assessment. Your doctor can evaluate any existing medical conditions you may have to ensure that your vitals are normal. He or she will also be able to assess if any new health situations are prevalent and answer your question am I burned-out?
Your doctor may also make recommendations in helping you with burnout symptoms. Seeking support from an expert can help you avoid crashing which can be a physical state you may not be able to recover from if you don’t seek help now.
6. Loss of Concentration Increases Everyday
Forgetting a phone number or your thought pattern periodically is normal. However, when your inability to sustain your attention while working can put your career at risk. Burnout syndrome can affect your mental performance for a long time if steps are not taken to recharge your mind. High work performers generally feel apprehensive about admitting their inability to handle everything successfully. So they avoid asking themselves the question am I burned-out?
However, when projects, your family life, and your health begin to suffer the consequences of your divided attention, it’s time to reduce your stress level. This means taking a step back, reassessing what’s really important to you, and implementing the help you need to thrive instead of just surviving.
7. Anger is Quickly Sparked
Your ability to respond to conflict situations or questions in a kind manner can be challenged when you’re burned-out. When you’re tired and haven’t been fueling your body with the right food, you will respond based on how you’re feeling. You might even feel guilty after you snap at others, but don’t have the mental energy to correct your behavior. Asking yourself am I burned-out can help you sort out mental and emotional challenges.
We want to hear from you. Share your thoughts about how your job may be affecting your family life or health, and what course of action you plan to take. If you’ve received help, share how you were able to recover from being overworked, and the answer you received regarding your am I burned-out question.
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