Is your job literally killing you? Job burnout is real, and it can be debilitating. Job stress is a leading contributor to anxiety, depression, alcohol and substance abuse, and physical illness – when things are bad at work, it’s hard to enjoy the rest of your life. Too often, people succumb to the stress and find themselves slipping deeper into a downward spiral of negativity, illness, and damaged relationships.
Signs of burnout:
• Sleeping more (or less) than usual: Not getting a good night’s sleep due to anxiety, racing thoughts and preoccupations about work can be a sign that your job is taking a toll on the rest of your life. At the other end of the spectrum, oversleeping and not wanting to get out of bed each day can be a sign that your job has become too stressful. Ideally you should look forward to work each day, at least a little. If you have to drag yourself out of bed each morning, that is a sign that all is not well in your work world.
• Feeling angry, irritable or frustrated at work: Have you been snapping at co-workers, internally rolling your eyes whenever you hear your boss’s voice, and feeling fed up with everyone at work? If you find yourself having to hold your tongue in meetings, if you dread having to talk with your boss, if you’re afraid of what you might say to a colleague, this could be a sign that your job is making you a little bit crazy.
• Crying at work: Do you have to excuse yourself from work to get your emotions under control? Do you often feel wistful, sad, or nostalgic? Do you feel like your life is slipping away from you, and you’re not getting enough in exchange for all that you’ve sacrificed for your career? If you feel that your job is not helping you reach your goals in life, if you no longer find meaning in your work, and if you’re full of regrets and guilty feelings, this could be a sign of burnout or more serious depression.
• Vomiting at work: Is your job making you physically ill? This is an extreme case, but I once had a friend who had a terribly stressful job at a deeply dysfunctional company. He finally decided to quit after he started vomiting at work – not because of illness or food poisoning, but because his body was physically reacting to the constant pressure cooker atmosphere and the petty sniping of his co-workers.
Job burnout can be hard to recover from. It takes time and money – you might need to request a personal leave of absence (which is usually unpaid). You might need to find a new job (which takes time and/or money from your personal savings). If you’re determined to stick it out at your present job, here are a few tips:
• Talk with HR. Find out what options your employer offers to help employees suffering from burnout. Confidential information, assessments and counseling might be available.
• Seek professional help. Don’t give in to despair and depression. Don’t try to self-medicate with alcohol and drugs. You are not alone. No matter how miserable your work situation has become, there is always help available. You always have options.
• Change your job. If you can’t find a new job, change the job you’ve got. Talk with your boss to see if you can focus more on the tasks you enjoy most. Find a mentor in another part of the company. Volunteer for a new project. Add a new source of positive energy to counteract the negativity.
Ben Gran is a freelance writer based in Des Moines, Iowa. He is an award-winning blogger who loves to write about careers and the future of work.
Ready to blaze a new trail in your career? Find sales jobs at http://www.salesheads.com/
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!