5 Signs You Are Reaching a Mental Burnout
Many people have come across the buzzword burnout at least once in their lives. While it may seem like a simple word for feeling tired, the truth is that burnout is a very real and concerning condition. It’s much more serious than mere stress or fatigue, and in some cases can even require hospitalization. So, are you wondering whether you’re simply experiencing stress and need a day at the spa or are you on the brink of a burnout, or ? Here are some of the telltale signs to look out for.
Tired All The Time
While some people may experience chronic fatigue as a result of a medical condition, there are others who experience chronic fatigue as a reaction to their burnout. Stress isn’t just an emotion— it can take extreme physical toll on your body. If your job or lifestyle is so stressful to the point that you want to fall asleep all the time, even after getting plenty of sleep the night before, then this could be your body’s way of telling you to slow down
Lack of Motivation
Do you find yourself lacking motivation to do things that you would normally motivated to do? Not only is this a sign of depression, but also an indication of a potential burnout. When your mental bandwidth is maxed out, then it can feel impossible to find meaning in anything—even things you once loved to do.
Extreme Irritability
If you are consistently impatient with your colleagues and family, then it could be a sign that you’ve taken on too much. People reaching the brink of burnout often lose their patience easily, and get mad at things that wouldn’t otherwise bother them.
If you notice yourself being triggered frequently throughout the day, then maybe it’s time to reevaluate your lifestyle, and whether you need to pull back on how much you’re loading onto your plate.
Anxiety
If you find yourself worrying about things to the point that you feel anxious and scared, then this is a symptom of a burnout. In more serious cases, you may be experiencing panic attacks that leave you feeling helpless, scared, and in a panic. The problem with panic attacks is that they can often feel like something more serious, such as a heart attack. Should this happen, you should talk to your doctor about different solutions they can offer you.
Lack of Concentration
When you’ve done something repeatedly over the years, it’s not uncommon to get to the point you can’t focus anymore when you attempt to do it. If this sounds like you, then chances are you are experiencing a burnout. Sometimes our brains can’t fathom having to do something yet again that we do not enjoy. If your job has become difficult to carry out due to lack of focus, then it’s something you should explore further. It may be time to change careers.
