In part one of this article we discussed four signs that may indicate you are burned out with work, school or just life in general. In part two, we will list four more signs as well as what you can do if you have experienced any them:
Feelings of depression. Many people confuse burnout with depression. However, there is a big difference between the two. While burnout often does feel like depression, it is brought on by making unwise choices to overwork your body and mind. Depression is caused by hormonal imbalances that are often related to outside forces. To cure burnout, you have to change the damaging behaviors. To get out of depression, you may need to take medicine that will help moderate your body’s chemical production. However, the emotional responses in both situations are the same and can cause a serious disturbance in your life.
Loss of motivation. If you have to force yourself to go to work everyday when you used to be excited about it, this is a clear sign of lost motivation. If you used to have goals in your career or family life, but now just hope to make it through one more day, this is a serious sign that you are taking on too much.
Emotions are muted. One of the saddest parts of burnout is that you are so distracted with doing too much that you don’t really get to enjoy any of it. If going out to a movie with your spouse and children used to make you feel excited and now just feels like another work assignment, you are probably burned out.
Habitual substance use. This sign is the most physically dangerous of all the signs previously discussed. To help them keep pace with a busy life, many people consume artificial stimulates such as sugar, caffeine, alcohol or even drugs. Too much of any one of these substances can cause you serious health problems later in life. Eating too much sugar can cause weight gain. Long-term caffeine use can cause insomnia as well as worsen other health conditions. Hopefully you are already aware of the detrimental effects of alcohol and drug consumption. People who are burned out are almost always users of over-the-counter stimulants. Dependance on any substance is dangerous.
If you can identify with one or more of the signs mentioned in parts one or two of this article, you should sit down and re-evaluate your life. Are you pushing yourself too hard when you don’t need to? Are you sacrificing things like family relationships in lieu of a successful career and money? If you are, then you are likely suffering from burnout. In order to stop the detrimental effects of burnout, you are going to have to make some changes in your life. The number one thing to start with is getting enough sleep. Once you have that down, everything else will slowly fall into place. Another thing that will help pull you out of your burnout is making time for regular exercise. The health benefits, both mentally and physically, are amazing. If you are feeling burned out, it’s time to take action. Make it sooner rather than later!
About the Author
Natalie Clive is a writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers provides online tools and services for prospective students that will help them start an online degree program today!
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