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5 Signs That I’m Approaching Burnout

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If you’re anything like me, you occasionally reach the point where your mind and body just shut down to prevent you from overburdening it any further. It’s always better, in my experience, to slow down and take a deep breath before reaching that point. I’m not always good at recognizing the signs,though, and when I do, I don’t always have the ability to prevent the train wreck that’s rapidly approaching.

The tell-tale signs may be different from one person to the next, and I would suggest that at a time when things are sailing along just fine (in other words, don’t wait for the crisis), everyone take a few minutes to reflect on what those signs are. Here are mine:

1. I lose the ability to make decisions. I’m not even talking about big stuff, like whether to move my kid to a different school, or whether to change jobs. I’m talking about stupid things, like what to cook for dinner. Any time I have to decide anything, I’m overcome with a feeling of panic that varies in intensity, but always makes me feel somewhat immobilised.

2) I lose interest in the things I like. If I stop caring about running, or if I don’t want to write, chances are that I’m approaching burnout. There are few things that scare me more than having to force myself to go for a run.

3) Little things annoy me. Things that I wouldn’t notice under normal circumstances make me want to jump up and throttle someone.

4) My relationship with food goes all out of whack. Either I stop eating entirely, apart from the odd nibble here and there to stay alive, or I go nuts and eat everything in sight.

5) Three consecutive hours of sleep counts as a “good night”.

What are your signs of burnout?

(Photo credit: bark. This picture has a creative commons attribution license)

Comments

  1. Mine are pretty much the same as yours – except that I never “stop eating entirely, apart from the odd nibble here and there to stay alive” – I’m firmly in the “comfort overeating” camp! 🙁

    The other difference is that I tend to sleep A LOT … and even after 10 -12 hours straight I STILL feel tired! At my worst I find it extremely difficult to get my sorry ass out of bed at all!

    Obviously ALL aches and pains get multiplied to the nth degree … basically crippling me to the point of being physically UNABLE to get to work.

    I’m feeling REALLY tired right now and am seriously considering taking some leave to “recharge” …. I just need to wait for my boss to get back from overseas first. I sincerely hope not to “crack” before then!!

    Feel better my dear friend! Love & hugs from someone who really gets it! xoxox