For many Americans, sitting at a desk from the hour of 9 a.m to 5 p.m. every day is increasingly arduous, especially if they are suffering from burnout at work.
David Ballard of the American Psychological Association told Forbes that burnout is “an extended period of time where someone experiences exhaustion and a lack of interest in things, resulting in a decline in their job performance,” Forbes reported. “A lot of burnout really has to do with experiencing chronic stress.”
Workplace factors including workload, control, rewards, community, and fairness can affect burnout, even in a job someone once loved,
reported the American Psychological Association. Being burned out at work not only diminishes your productivity, but can also have a negative effect on your health.
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Below are five signs you may be suffering from burnout at work:
1. Exhaustion
Feeling tired at work, or all the time, is a characterizing sign of burnout. Exhaustion may be triggered by physical or emotional dissatisfaction.
2. Anxiety
Anxiety is a common outcome of prolonged stress. Severe anxiety can trigger panic attacks, insomnia, or just constant worrying about work. The inability to stop thinking about work and relax could be a sign of work burnout.
3. No Motivation
Someone who is burned out may no longer view their work as important and is therefore less eager to complete their work. A lack of motivation can also trigger frustration, irritability, and other negative emotions. In prolonged or serious cases, some people may feel anger or experience depression.
4. Lack of Concentration
When someone does not find enjoyment in their work, it is more difficult to concentrate. A burned-out employee is likely to be less productive than in the past and may become forgetful. Burned-out individuals may be more easily distracted than in the past.
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5. Physical Ailments
Work burnout is an outcome of prolonged stress and thus carries the same health risks. People who experience work burnout are prone to developing digestive problems, heart disease, and obesity in the long term. In the shorter term, shortness of breath, headaches, heart palpitations, and changes in diet are common.
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