Heavy workloads and deadline pressures have more and more people feeling fatigued, unmotivated and downright exhausted. A new report reveals more than 38% of people say they are experiencing burnout, and people aged 18 to 24 are experiencing burnout at the highest rate.
Fifty-seven percent of people who are burnt out say they are less productive at work and produce lower quality work.
It’s important to know the signs of burnout and make changes before it’s too late. So how can you spot it?
“Burnout is usually a constellation of three things,” said Dr. Jessi Gold, from Washington University in St. Louis. “One is emotional exhaustion, the second one is cynicism or depersonalization, meaning sort of you’re going through your day, and you’re not as connected to your colleagues or to the work as you were before. And the third thing is a reduced sense of personal accomplishment.”
One telltale sign … you’re angry at your inbox.
“If someone sends me an email and I get really mad, I shouldn’t be that mad at an email. So that tends to be an earlier sign,” said Gold.
Another sign?
“Adjustments to your schedule that might not seem like a big thing, but you love to cook and all of a sudden you’re ordering takeout every day. You like to exercise and all of a sudden you just don’t have it in you to exercise as much,” explains Gold.
So, what can you do about it? Gold said find ways to take back control. Prioritize self-care by getting enough sleep, exercising, and making social connections. Also, change your daily routine.
“Don’t check email constantly. Take your email off your phone if you have to,” said Gold.
Find peer support and look for new challenges at work. Most importantly, don’t ignore it.
Burnout may be a risk factor for depression, meaning that chronic, unresolved burnout may lead to depression.
The symptoms of depression are different and include feelings of guilt or worthlessness, difficulty concentrating and suicidal thoughts. If you are experiencing any of these call the suicide and crisis lifeline at 988.