What Are the Warning Signs of Burnout?
By Jackie Chavez, M.A.

Burnout is…
…our mind/body's normal reaction to prolonged periods of stress and exhaustion. It can show up in a number of different ways.
Here are some signs to look out for:
Physical Signs
Feeling tired or drained most days
Experiencing frequent headaches, muscle pains, or illnesses
Experiencing changes in appetite
Experiencing changes in sleep patterns
Emotional Signs
Feeling a sense of failure and self-doubt
Feeling detached and alone in the world
Feeling a loss of motivation
Increased cynicism and negative outlook
Decreased sense of accomplishment and satisfaction
Behavioral signs
Withdrawing from responsibilities
Isolating ourselves from others
Procrastinating, or taking longer to get things done
Using food, alcohol, or drugs to cope
Taking our frustrations out on others
Skipping work, coming in late, or leaving early.
Are you starting to realize you might be feeling burned out? The good news is that the first step of breaking the cycle of burnout is recognizing it.
Take some time to reflect on the warning signs of burnout listed above. Make it personal and think of specific examples of the ways you're feeling burnout (e.g., calling off on Mondays more often.)
Know that you are worthy and you have the resilience to make positive changes.
Stay tuned! In our next post, we'll address ways to break the cycle of burnout.