If you are working in a fast-paced environment, you may tend to think that being overworked is an integral part of your job and exactly what makes you a good employee. And you could not be more wrong. In fact, working overtime for an extended period of time will inevitably lead to burnout and even health deterioration.
Moreover, you may even not notice for yourself that you are burning out because of the endless deadlines and responsibilities. So how do your know you are not overworked already?
In this article, you will find information about eight signs of overworking, ranging from higher stress levels, difficulties with relaxing and sleeping, and a to-do list that only keeps growing to feeling like falling behind and experiencing a decline in health, among other things. Read on to protect yourself from burnout!
Table of Contents
You Are Constantly Stressed
If you feel constantly stressed and cannot find a way to let it go, you probably are overworked. Even if you have achieved great things at work and feel as if you are being appreciated, that does not change the fact that you are still overworked.
Being overworked can cause long-term stress on your body and mind, making you feel tired all the time. Chronic stress leads to a reduction in testosterone levels, while low testosterone can entail even more unpleasant symptoms (how does testosterone affects your condition? – check here).
Thus, if you become accustomed to always being in this state of stress, it will be challenging to get out of it. So, if you are stressed out all the time, it is the first sign you are suffering from burnout.
You Have Trouble Relaxing
Another sign of burnout is having trouble relaxing. This could come in the form of not being able to concentrate on leisure activities like reading a book or listening to music. It could also come in the form of overexerting yourself with other activities that do not necessarily relax you, such as working out, playing video games, or watching online courses.
Your main goal should be to make sure you take care of yourself, so you need to be aware of any activities that do not make you feel relaxed and replenished after engaging in them. If they only make you feel worn out and exhausted, you should avoid doing them as much as possible.
You Have Trouble Sleeping
As previously mentioned, stress can lead to anxiety and even depression, which often accompany poor or interrupted sleep. Lack of sleep will not only interfere with your regular life, but it can also negatively affect your overall health and well-being.
If you are experiencing problems with sleep, consider changing the way you approach your current job position. It might take some time for you to adapt to your new lifestyle, but if you feel like you cannot continue working the way you are, it is time to look for other job opportunities or change your expectations.
You Are Experiencing Health Decline
Are you experiencing any health problems that you cannot seem to get rid of? Is your appetite lower than usual? It could be the beginning of physical burnout. If you are constantly feeling tired and drained, this can eventually lead to serious health problems.
Make sure you are getting enough sleep, as well as eating healthy meals. Also, it is crucial to be aware of how much stress you are experiencing throughout the day. If you feel like things are piling up on top of each other, you need to make a change for yourself or risk dealing with serious health issues in the long run.
Your To-Do List Keeps Growing
You have a to-do list that seems never-ending. You have added items and crossed off tasks, yet the list only keeps getting longer. If you feel like you are constantly putting off every task until tomorrow or add new assignments to do as much as possible in a single day, you are definitely overworked.
It is crucial that you have a handle on your responsibilities at work. If you do not adequately manage your time and your workload, there is a chance you will burn out even faster. Do not be afraid to ask for help if necessary because there is no shame in finding the most efficient solutions for both work-related tasks and your well-being.
You Feel Like You Are Falling Behind
If you feel like there is no way for you to catch up with all the work and responsibility placed on your shoulders, it is safe to say that you are already experiencing burnout. This feeling will make you feel not only like a failure at work but it will also prevent you from enjoying what little time you spend outside of your working hours.
If you are already feeling this way, now is the time to make a change. You do not have to quit your job right away, but you should start looking for ways to make it less stressful and become more efficient at work. Now is the time to start making some changes to avoid burnout in the future to maintain a healthy lifestyle while working toward your career goals.
You Feel Like You Are Failing
If you feel like you are falling behind and are overworked, you may also feel like you are failing. This is very common, especially if you constantly work overtime and still feel like you are not getting enough done. It may cause you to feel as if you are not good enough at your job.
However, this feeling is not a reflection of your character or skills or anything else besides being overworked. In fact, this feeling can come from the simple fact that you are not being recognized for all the hard work you put into your job. If that is the case, don’t be afraid to ask for a raise or more opportunities to showcase your skills and abilities.
You Are Losing Track of Your Time
Once you find yourself consistently late and unable to keep up with your schedule, it may seem like time has no meaning anymore. You will not be able to tell whether one hour has passed or 15 minutes; everything will just seem like a blur. This is another sign that you are overworked and suffering from burnout.
This will make your life not only feel hectic and chaotic, but it will also affect your relationships and overall well-being. It can even cause depression and other serious health issues that can impact every aspect of your life. Make sure you take the time to relax and slow down because when things seem rushed all the time, they can begin to feel overwhelming.
Final Thoughts
You need to have better control over your work responsibilities. If you feel like you are constantly working too much, it is time to make a change. Sometimes, making one small change can make a huge difference in your life and how you feel about yourself.
By timely recognizing the signs listed above, you will be able to establish a work-life balance and protect yourself from a complete burnout. It is essential to be aware of your body and how you are feeling to take action before things get out of hand.
