Are you curious about burnout syndrome and what warning signs to watch out for?
Burnout can happen to anyone, affecting you mentally, physically, and emotionally. There’s a common misconception that burnout is a medical condition when the World Health Organization states that burnout is caused by “chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”
Burnout is a chronic issue that, left unchecked, can lead to serious health problems and relationship issues and can derail your career. But the good news is you can prevent burnout by recognizing the signs early on, learning how to manage your stress better, and developing coping mechanisms that work well for you.
How do you know if you’re experiencing burnout syndrome?
There are several signs that you may be in a state of burnout. You might notice the following:
- You feel like you are in a fog.
- You’re chronically exhausted.
- You feel cynical about your job.
- You’re experiencing regular insomnia.
- You feel like you are not good enough.
- You are irritable and anger easily.
- You’re having trouble keeping up at work.
- You feel like you have nothing to look forward to at work (or anywhere).
What are the 5 stages of burnout?
The five stages of burnout are:
Phase 1: The Honeymoon Phase
In this stage, you’re feeling great about your job. You might be motivated to work hard and produce more than usual. This phase can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on how much stress the job is causing you.
Phase 2: The Onset of Stress
The longer you stay in a job with high-stress levels, the more likely you’ll experience burnout at some point down the road. In this phase, both your mind and body start showing signs of weariness due to long hours, dealing with challenging people, or an unrealistic workload.
Phase 3: Chronic Stress
When severe stress becomes chronic, you may experience physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, back or neck pain, fatigue, or digestive issues—all of which can decrease the quality of your work.
Phase 4: Burnout Phase – “Emotional Exhaustion.”
In this phase, you feel emotionally exhausted and can no longer perform at your best. You often start to feel tired, have low energy levels, and are more irritable and moody than usual.
Phase 5: Chronic Burnout
In this phase, your body’s systems may start breaking down. It can take months and even years to recover from burnout fully. If you don’t take care of your mental health, it can lead to long-term health problems. According to the National Institute of Health, burnout is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
Takeaway
First, remember that you are not alone. Burnout is something that many people experience, but they don’t always realize it. The first step toward recovery is recognizing the signs of burnout and taking steps to get help from others who can support you along this journey.
If you feel like your job is draining the life out of you or causing undue stress and anxiety, then it might be time to take steps toward recovery before things get worse. It’s essential to take action and seek professional help from a therapist or stress management coach who can provide valuable insight into what’s going on in your life and how to deal with it in a healthier way.
Free Stress and Burnout Resources
Download my free stress management PDF, “15 Ways to Say Goodbye to Chronic Stress For Good.
Take the online burnout quiz: Are You Headed Toward Burnout?
Are you exhausted, stressed, or burned out?
You’re not alone! I’ve been there. I hit burnout in 2013 after my father died, which led to a complete health collapse. It took me years of determined work to reclaim my health which is why I am fiercely passionate about helping others restore theirs.
I’m April Likins, a board-certified health coach, and stress expert who helps ambitious women beat exhaustion and burnout, and increase their spark, energy, and joy.
Click here to learn how I can help you go from exhausted and overwhelmed to flourishing in my Beat Burnout coaching program.
