Signs You’re Burning Out (And How to Recover)

Signs You’re Burning Out (And How to Recover)

Burnout is not just something that you should tolerate. It’s something that can significantly and detrimentally affect your mental health, your relationships with others, and your personal and professional goals. Simply grinding through it isn’t an option. Whether it’s due to putting in a lot of hours at work, dealing with the kids, or other responsibilities, burnout is something that can be prevented and, just as importantly, can be recovered from. Let’s look at some of the signs to identify, as well as how you can handle them.

A Consistent Sense Of Emotional Exhaustion

If you feel like you’ve been in a persistent state of emotional exhaustion, that’s a big sign of burnout. You may feel drained, overwhelmed, or unable to muster enthusiasm for things you usually enjoy. Rest days and vacations might offer only temporary relief before the exhaustion returns. Emotional fatigue often goes hand-in-hand with cynicism, irritability, and even feelings of hopelessness. If your inner battery feels permanently low, it’s time to take it seriously. Creating the space for rest and even setting up a self-care day (or week), whether you go to the spa, relax out in nature, or indulge in a meal out with a friend, can help you recharge your batteries and get some time to set your boundaries.

 

Losing The Passions You Once Had

Whether it’s your hobbies, relationships, or even your career, you can find your energy for the things you love slipping away as a result of burnout. A lot of people think this is a personal failing, a lack of effort or respect on their side, because they feel numb or like they’re just going through the motions. However, this emotional withdrawal is a signal that you are overwhelmed, and trying harder to get into the thing you’re losing passion for can only cause you to disconnect from it more quickly. Again, rest can be vital, but you should also look into new hobbies and interests that you can put time into, without any sense of pressure or expectations of achievement, to help you rebuild your sense of purpose.

 

Feelings Of Detachment

Those feelings of numbness can go further than your work or hobbies, they can start to affect your whole life. If you feel like you’re growing more and more detached from yourself and other people, and you start to dread the thought of seeing those whom you could once easily spend time, then you may need help. You can find online therapy with insurance that can help you get the support and space you need to talk through your feelings without the fear of judgment. You can begin to build the tools that allow you to start connecting with yourself again, which can then go on to help you connect with others, as well.

 

Symptoms Can Get Physical, Too

Burnout affects your body just as much as your mind if it gets severe enough. Some of the common symptoms include headaches, digestive issues, muscle tension, frequent illnesses, and disrupted sleep. Chronic stress wears down the immune system and impacts nearly every bodily function. If you’re experiencing persistent physical symptoms with no clear medical cause, your body might be signaling burnout. Listening to these messages is crucial. Recovery involves slowing down, nourishing yourself with good food, sleep, and gentle movement like walking or stretching. Investing in chronic stress management practices, such as massage therapy, can help you relieve the physical tension in the body, which in turn can offer some emotional comfort, as well. A holistic plan for burnout means caring for the body as well as the mind.

 

Constant Self-Doubt

If you feel like you’re “not good enough,” it’s important to recognize that this isn’t necessarily the most objective judgment of yourself. The exhaustion and stress associated with burnout can distort your inner dialogue. You’re more likely to hear harsh self-criticism and deal with ongoing feelings of inadequacy, even as you overwork yourself or take on more stressful responsibilities in an effort to prove your worth. Therapy can help you realize that this negative self-talk isn’t the truth, but a symptom. From there, you can learn how ot replace your inner critic with a more compassionate and realistic voice. This can include writing affirmations and trying out mindset shifts, developing the mental tools to silence these destructive tendencies.

If you feel like you’re approaching the point of burning out, or already going through it, it’s important to take action now. Simply going the way that you are is a lot more likely to lead to serious health repercussions.