Most of us have times when we feel stressed and fatigue but are able to overcome that and regain your energy back mentally, physically and emotionally. However, when feeling this way all the time and having more difficulty in regaining your energy, more than likely you are experiencing burnout.

Burnout is when you feel exhausted – mentally, physically, and emotionally which is caused by excessive stress that has been around for a long period of time. Many may feel as if they are depressed and confuse the burnout as depression though they are related in a way. When you are experiencing burnout, it is likely that you are less attentive and more forgetful or even impulsive. Here are 5 warning signs of burnout.

Loss of Interest in work

The stress that is being experienced may increase negative feelings towards work and activities that you were interested in and got enjoyment from. When those things that once gave you joy now becomes stressful, it is likely that you will feel resentful towards that specific thing. Therefore, will have a much harder time showing up for work and when you do show up, you will feel disengaged.

Low energy and exhaustion

Going through burnout can cause mental exhaustion which also can cause physical exhaustion. The act of trying to put in energy into something that is causing you burnout or resentment can result to low energy and exhaustion due to the side effects of the act of trying to continue something you feel negatively about. Having low energy and exhaustion can be a result of feeling overwhelmed by your workload and little time to recover or rest. Experiencing low energy and exhaustion can also be a symptom of depression.

Increase in inefficiency

Experiencing burnout can lead to being inefficient in your work results leading to reduced work performance. This is due to the fact that you can have a difficult time concentrating while also having a hard time completing work assignments.

Detachment and Pessimistic

When someone is experiencing burnout they may feel an increase of detachment from their work and also become critical of whatever is causing their burnout. You may have a more negative attitude toward your boss, client or co-worker and feel more irritable towards them.

Isolation

Isolation can occur in stages where you may first begin to avoid certain gatherings that relate to what is causing you burnout. However, as you find relief in doing so, you may end up continuously doing this for many other invites that relate but not directly causing you the burnout. What ends up happening is that you can begin feeling detached from others and may end up thinking negatively of others for no apparent reason.

It is imperative to check in with yourself and to listen to your body as it may be signaling that it is time for a break. Checking in with yourself can save you from experiencing burnout as you are able to identify some signs and use them to your advantage to be proactive about preventing burnout.