Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

Whether we have realized it or not, burnout is something that many of us adults have experienced at one point or another. Burnout is a type of stress that is characterized by physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion that can be accompanied by a variety of symptoms. It is a byproduct of a society that uses productivity and our salary as a measure of our worth. Burnout is something that many of us can experience, whether we are students or in our careers. We can even experience burnout by the things that we are passionate about. So now that we know what exactly burnout is, how can we recognize the signs of it within ourselves. Here are some of the signs to watch out for if you are wondering if you are experiencing it:

Behavioral:

• Isolating oneself

• Backing off of responsibilities

• Misusing food, alcohol, or substances to cope

• Irritability

• Procrastinating

Physical:

• Change in appetite

• Change in sleeping patterns

• Lowered immune system, getting sick often

• Physical exhaustion

• Frequent headaches

• Muscle aches

Emotional:

• Loss of motivation

• Negative/cynical outlook on life

• Sense of failure

• Self-doubt

• Feelings of helplessness

• Decreased satisfaction

• Feeling disconnected from oneself

As you can see, burnout is something that can wreak havoc on our mental health. Later this week, I will be discussing different ways that we can cope.