How to Recognise Burnout Before It Drains You
Burnout is more than just feeling stressed; it’s a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. Recognising the early signs can help you address the issue before it severely impacts your health and work. Here are some indicators to watch for:
- Concentration Problems: Difficulty focusing on tasks, leading to decreased performance and increased mistakes.
- Decreased Satisfaction: Feelings of disillusionment with your job, reduced satisfaction, and a sense of failure.
- Constant Fatigue: Persistent tiredness, regardless of adequate sleep, leading to physical exhaustion.
- Irritability: Short temper and mood swings, becoming easily frustrated with others.
- Appetite or Sleep Changes: Alterations in eating habits or sleep patterns, such as eating more or less than usual, or experiencing trouble sleeping.
- Withdrawal: Pulling back from social interactions both at home and work as a defence mechanism against persistent stress.
- Frequent Illness: Chronic stress leading to more frequent colds, flu, and other illnesses, as your body’s defence mechanisms weaken.
- Detachment: Feeling disconnected from your surroundings and isolated even when around others.
- Lack of Enjoyment: Activities that were once pleasurable now feel like chores; you no longer find joy in things you used to love.
- Cynicism at Work: Increased pessimism towards your job, feeling unappreciated and undervalued by colleagues or superiors.
In Australia, burnout is alarmingly prevalent. A recent study revealed that 61% of Australian workers reported experiencing burnout, compared to a global average of 48%. This has significant economic implications.
Burnout and stress-related absenteeism costs the Australian economy an estimated $14 billion annually.
I know for myself, I was once at a point where I found myself constantly fatigued, irritable, and detached from both work and personal life. Recognising these signs was the first step towards seeking help and making necessary changes to restore balance. It led me on the part to working with Dr John and Judy Hinwood at the Stress Management Institute for which I am forever grateful.
Have you noticed any of these signs in your own life? How do you address them? Sharing experiences can provide support and insights for others facing similar challenges.
Not sure how much stress is affecting you right now?
Take our Stress Test — simply answer yes or no to a few life events and discover how stress may be impacting your personal health.
Feeling the signs of burnout? Let’s take the next step together.
👉 Book a one-on-one session with Barbara to gain personalised strategies to manage stress, restore balance, and protect your wellbeing.
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About the Author
Barbara Clifford (The Time Tamer) is a co-founder of The Hinwood Institute. She is the lead trainer and coach in Time Management. She is a recognized leader in Stress Management. An experienced coach, speaker, columnist and facilitator, Barbara’s work with The Hinwood Institute assists people to unclutter mess, make order from chaos, and swap the shackles of overwhelming for freedom. Barbara’s clients move from the relentless hamster wheel to waking inspired, motivated, making decisions with purpose and achieving peak performance. She lives in the desert of Alice Springs, Australia working with people around the country. Her professional experience has included contracts with small business, Not For Profits, Aboriginal Organisations, Media, Marketing, Aged Care, Universities, Health Services and Cruise Ships