Women are 30 per cent more likely to experience burnout, but do you know the symptoms?
Busy schedules and a cost-of-living crisis are taking their toll. Here are the symptoms you shouldn’t ignore...
Crippling physical exhaustion
It’s normal to feel tired if you’ve been under stress, but burnout exhaustion goes far beyond feeling tired — it’s a constant sense of fatigue that no amount of sleep or rest seems to resolve.
Sleep issues
Burnout is a cruel, double-edged sword, in that not only is chronic exhaustion a common symptom, but those experiencing burnout also tend to have problems getting enough, or quality sleep. Insomnia, restlessness and bad dreams can all occur when you’re over-stretched.
Productivity dips
When you have too much going on in your head and you’re already fatigued, it can be difficult to prioritise, make decisions and remember everything you need to do. Even the most proactive of people can dither and miss deadlines when they’re burnt out. You might also find yourself making decisions that are out of character.
Personality changes
One of the first signs of burnout is feeling disengaged with your work or job. This can even happen to people who find a great sense of fulfilment in what they do. It can also cross over into your personal life, and you may find yourself becoming snappy and irritable with family and friends.
● From Robert Common, Founder and managing Partner of The Beekeeper House (beekeeperhouse.com)