3 Types of Burnout

Have you ever experienced a day at work where you felt completely drained, overwhelmed, or checked out mentally? Feeling this on a random day here or there is probably closer to normal than you think but feeling this on more workdays than not is not normal.

Burnout is defined as fatigue, frustration, or apathy resulting from prolonged stress, overwork, or intense activity. Burnout can lead to physical, emotional, or mental reactions in response to the feelings brought to the surface due to burnout.

It’s important to know the signs and possible symptoms of burnout. And that all starts with recognizing the types, including these 3.

1. Volume Burnout

   Do you find yourself working more frantically than effectively as you reach for success? People who experience volume burnout might feel overloaded and much more than just busy or overwhelmed. These people will lack energy and carry a very negative outlook on their job. It’s the feeling that there’s no break in the day, and the exhaustion will continue to pile up.

2. Boredom Burnout

   Have you ever been under-challenged at work or not stimulated by your job? Burnout doesn’t just occur when you’re working too much, it can be the lack of stimulation created by your job, making you feel bored. This can sometimes lead to a feeling of neglect, where you don’t have that driving sense of purpose, and you find it hard to stay engaged.

3. Socialization Burnout

   Would you consider yourself a people pleaser? These people often experience burnout because they are more comfortable making themselves uncomfortable than others. You might struggle with saying, “no,” but it’s important to remember that whenever you say “yes,” you are saying “no” to many other things, making these people socially drained across the board.

So, what about the signs and symptoms?

You could be experiencing burnout if you have some of the following:

• Emotional Exhaustion

• Disengagement with Work

• Uninterest in Life Outside of Work

• Cynicism

• Lack of Energy

• Loss of Motivation

• Increased or Onset of Procrastination

• Lowered Concentration

• Increased Irritability

• Headaches / Muscle Aches

• Feeling of Overwhelm

• Skirting of Responsibilities

• Shortened Temper

• Nonexistent Optimism

• Lack of Physical or Self Care

As you work towards your goals, it’s common to feel motivated and energized as you take on what you need to in order to get there. But, unfortunately, it’s also common that people sometimes fall into symptoms of burnout as they work on reaching their goals. It can be overwhelmingly discouraging, especially if you were once extremely motivated about your industry or career. But burnout doesn’t last forever, and you can overcome it if you know how to recognize it.

Start by taking a deep breath and evaluating your options. Then, talk to your manager about your concerns and devise a way to create realistic expectations. Once you discover a way to set and prioritize goals to reach continued success in your career, look at what self-care steps you can take to help restore your well-being and protect your health.

Have you ever experienced burnout? If so, what worked for you? Share your thoughts by commenting below.