Now that the holidays and tax season are behind us, this is the real long stretch before summer is upon us and we look forward to taking some time off. For those like myself, work is full swing into event season and there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day. Because of this, time management is a must. Taking breaks is a must. Being honest with yourself is a must.
We, as people, thrive off of structure, but with many moving parts and small details, we almost begin to subconsciously neglect ourselves and what our bodies need. I can promise that if you feel like this, you are not alone. This issue is, with all those moving parts and small details, it's difficult to figure out what changes need to be made. So let's talk about how to recognize burnout before it even happens.
What are Common Burnout Symptoms?
Feeling drained. This is a huge red flag! Especially if you're feeling emotionally and mentally drained. For most people, this is the first sign of burnout, but it's always chalked up to having an "off day". That "off day" turns into an "off week" until the burnout is ready to strike.
Feeling physically unwell. It very well could be allergies or the common cold, but those small things might hit you a little harder than you're used to. If that's the case, it could be a sign of burnout.
Feeling distant. Specifically, feeling lonely and underappreciated is another sign of burnout.
Feeling like you're just going through the motions. This could also come out as feeling like you're not doing your best or achieving what you know you could be achieving.
Through this, it's important to know that you're not alone. Whether people talk about it often or not, they experience the exact same feeling.
Knowing the signs of burnout can be one of the most helpful ways to recognize it before it sets in. When and if you're able to identify any symptoms you have, you can do something about it! But what? For some people, it means taking a mental health day to regroup and recenter. For others, it could be tiny breaks throughout the workday to let your brain reset for the next task or meeting. Another way to combat burnout could be chunking up the day into feasible tasks for each day. If you're someone who works with clients, you could try keeping client meetings at the beginning of the week or the beginning of the day. This would allow the rest of the week or the rest of the day to catch up or keep up with regular work.