Maybe you’re feeling stressed at work, or you’re experiencing more agitation and fatigue than usual. Perhaps you often fantasize about quitting your job on the spot. 

These are some classic, telltale signs of workplace burnout, a phenomenon affecting nearly a quarter of working professionals. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it might be a sign that you need to make a change.

With that in mind, workplace burnout isn’t always obvious, and it doesn’t look the same for everyone. Sometimes, this issue can be far more insidious. In fact, many professionals spend several months (or years!) in their roles before realizing just how much they’re struggling. 

Let’s get into some of the more subtle signs of burnout you might be overlooking.

You Keep Having Physical Health Issues

It’s no secret that our bodies don’t work optimally when they’re under constant stress. Yet, many people overlook specific aches and pains and dismiss them as growing older or having a more sedentary lifestyle. 

That said, stress is associated with numerous health issues, including: 

• Headaches

• Digestive problems

• Weight gain

• High blood pressure

• Muscle tension

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, they may be a result of prolonged burnout. Additionally, burnout itself often affects energy and motivation. 

As a result, it can feel much more challenging to prioritize healthy habits like regular exercise, consistent sleep, eating a well-rounded diet, and managing your stress levels. Of course, if you aren’t taking care of yourself adequately, you increase your risk of developing various health complications.

You Keep Feeling Incompetent 

It’s normal to occasionally question your skills at work. This is especially true if you make a mistake or receive negative feedback. But if you consistently feel like you’re failing, this issue may indicate a deeper struggle with burnout.

Feeling incompetent may happen when you don’t feel validated or supported in your role. For example, if your boss never gives you praise you may assume it’s because they’re disappointed in your performance. Or, if you feel consistently overwhelmed, you might believe it’s because you can’t handle the job.

Finally, incompetence can represent an infrastructural issue. In some roles, you may feel pressure to perform duties outside the scope of your expertise. If you don’t feel capable of executing these tasks, you may feel anxious or even resentful when asked to do them. 

You Feel Apathetic About Life

Burnout can transcend the workplace and spill into areas of your life, like your relationships and leisure time. If left untreated, the burnout can leave you feeling somewhat numb or emotionless about your daily routine.

Of course, consistent apathy can result in serious consequences. When you feel apathetic, you no longer have the motivation or desire to put in the same time and effort into certain things. You don’t feel nearly as invested in your work, which may cause issues at your job.

Likewise, apathy is a core symptom of depression, which can coincide with burnout. If you persistently struggle with this feeling, it may be beneficial to reach out for professional support. 

You Keep Making Mistakes

Burnout can result in carelessness, causing you to make errors that you normally wouldn’t make. This carelessness often stems from feeling mentally exhausted. If you feel overworked, it’s easy to fall into the habit of procrastinating or taking shortcuts with your work. 

Furthermore, if your boss has overly high expectations, there might not be enough time for you to complete every task. You may rush yourself through the day trying to get everything done. Over time, this pattern can lead to fatigue, anxiety, and chronic resentment.

You No Longer Care About Your Coworkers

In a healthy work environment, colleagues collaborate and get along well together. Even if you aren’t best friends, there’s usually a mutual level of respect and camaraderie.

But if you’re struggling with burnout, you may continuously feel annoyed by the people in your office. You might find yourself feeling more competitive with them, causing potential awkwardness and tension. You might also withdraw from people- instead of socializing during your free time, you close the door and hope that nobody bothers you.

Treating The Subtle Signs of Burnout 

Work can be undoubtedly stressful, but if you consistently dread, avoid, or hate your job duties, you may be struggling more than you realize. Additionally, the subtle signs of burnout can quickly spiral into more complex problems related to depression or anxiety. 

Although burnout can sometimes feel debilitating, it can be treatable. Therapy will help you understand the triggers that might be exacerbating your distress. It can also support you in making either external or internal changes that honor your emotional well-being.

We will work together to help you feel more empowered in recovering from burnout. Contact me today to schedule your free consultation.