Signs You Need a Break
Feeling unmotivated and mentally and physically drained every time you clock in to work? It might not just be an "off" day—you could be experiencing burnout. After all, constant stress can take a huge toll on both the mind and body, so it's important to recognize the signs before it gets worse. From decreased productivity to growing self-doubt, here are five signs your job is wearing you down more than it should.
1. Lack of Motivation
When burnout hits, you lose all the motivation you used to have coming into work. Instead of feeling excited about new assignments and tasks, everything feels overwhelming and too much. Even things you once found enjoyable, like chatting with your colleagues and tackling team projects, don't feel worthwhile anymore.
2. Decreased Productivity
Because you lack motivation, you start to see a decrease in your productivity levels. Whereas you used to be able to hit all your deadlines and finish more than what's listed on your daily to-dos, nowadays you're struggling to even get through one task.
3. Emotional Exhaustion
When you're burnt out, everything seems to set you off, too. You're easily irritable, and the usual comments and jokes you hear your colleagues make only make you more annoyed and upset. You experience constant mood swings, too; you might feel okay one moment, and absolutely horrible the next.
4. Self-Doubt
Burnout also makes you doubt yourself. Whereas you might have felt more than capable and proud of your abilities before, you now feel like you can't do anything right. Imposter syndrome—where you feel like a "phony" despite your skills and experience—may start creeping up on you, too, which only amplifies your insecurities.
5. Constantly Feeling Drained
No matter how much sleep you get or how many breaks you take, you're constantly drained, both mentally and physically. Even simple tasks, like responding to emails or attending meetings, make you stressed and weary. If this sounds familiar, this is a clear sign that you're burnt out and need an actual break.
