Burnout: Noticing the Signs and What To Do About It

Have you ever noticed yourself getting burnt out?  It doesn’t normally show up at once, rather, it builds quietly while you try to push through, ultimately resulting in a crash.  Burnout is not a personal failure, but a nervous system response to prolonged stress without enough recovery or support.
It can show up differently for different people, but here are the most common signs I see:

• Feeling emotionally numb or detached
• Increased irritability or cynicism
• Dreading things you used to enjoy
• ​Trouble concentrating or making simple decisions
  
• Physical symptoms like headaches, stomach issues, or fatigue
  
• Wanting to withdraw from people
  
• A sense that nothing you do is enough

What causes it?

• Work environments that demand more than they give
  
• Caregiving roles without support
  
• Chronic illness or ongoing health concerns
  
• Emotional labor that goes unseen
  
• Feeling stuck or disconnected from your values

What do you do about it?

• Name it honestly without making excuses like “I’m just bad at time management”
  
• Do an audit on both your time and your energy
  
• Reduce and delegate where you can
  
• Reconnect to something meaningful
  
• Get support and avoid isolating

If you are noticing signs of burnout, take that seriously.  Your body is not being dramatic and your mind is not being lazy.  You do not have to collapse to justify slowing down!  Take breaks and allow yourself to rest.