While recent events are giving some professionals a much-needed break, others find themselves having to work even harder than usual in order to keep up with demands. To make matters worse, many professionals are now having to work from home for the first time in their lives, which comes with benefits, but also some risks. It can be harder to set aside time to relax when you never leave the office, after all. As you continue working, keep an eye out for these signs that you may be overworking yourself, or suffering from burnout.
1 – Trouble sleeping
Not everyone needs eight hours of sleep a day, it’s true. Some people find themselves perfectly rested after sleeping for just six hours, while others need ten whole hours to really feel rested.
Regardless of what your normal sleep schedule is like, you can expect the stress from being overworked to mess with that schedule. Stress and anxiety, two common byproducts of working too much and too hard, often lead to insomnia and trouble sleeping.
Even if you are still getting your regular amount of sleep, you may find that it’s harder for you to fall asleep at night and that the quality of your sleep is decreasing, leading to you resting less every night. Those are all classic signs that you are working too hard.
2 – Mood variations
Stress makes it easier for people and things to get under your skin. If occurrences that usually wouldn’t bother you are now making you snap — or making you struggle to stay calm —, then you might be in dire need of a break from work.
3 – Excessive worrying
Has worry been keeping you awake at night? It’s hard to pinpoint worry and anxiety as being due to overworking these days, as there are indeed plenty of things in the world we should be worrying about. However, know that burnout is also one of the potential causes for excessive worrying, especially if said worry often peaks at night and in the early hours of the morning.
4 – Brain fogs
A “brain fog” refers to a phenomenon that makes it harder for you to concentrate throughout your day. People suffering from this often report subjective changes to their mental state, such as their thoughts feeling fuzzy or sluggish. Reduction in the ability to access both short-term and long-term memory is also a common complaint.
The most annoying thing about brain fogs is that even people familiar with the concept sometimes take hours until they realize that the fog is there, making their day worse. Brain fogs are often caused by burnout, and they can make it much harder for you to be productive.
5 – Feeling overwhelmed
Burnout, overworking, and exhaustion can all affect your mood in such a way that even tasks that would feel manageable on a normal day will start to feel overwhelming. When you look at a reasonable schedule and it overwhelms you with a sense of hopelessness, that’s a sign that you are in desperate need of a break from work.
Sadly, taking a break isn’t always an option. This is why you should stay on top of your fatigue and find ways to cope and wind down after a day’s work. You can do so by creating a relaxing pre-sleep routine, taking regular 30-minute breaks throughout your day, and by taking natural remedies like calming teas and CBD51 products.
