How to tell if you're headed for a work burnout

Publish Date
Wednesday, 22 February 2017, 12:05PM
Photo / Getty Images

Photo / Getty Images

Every job can bring its weekly stresses, frustrations and obstacles - but when does the workplace drama become too much? 

Discontent with work can be detrimental to all aspects of our life, from our physical health to our mental stability and even our relationships. 

Psychologist Peter Doyle, of Guidelight Psychology in Queensland, spoke to Daily Mail about how you can recognise the signs it might be time to call it quits.

Negative self-talk can be one of the most harming symptoms of feeling discontent and unhappy at work, Doyle revealed.

Unlike verbal conversations, which Doyle says we process at 150 words per minute, we automatically process nonverbal communication at 1,000 words a minute. 

Those inner thoughts of self-doubt, or thinking over and over about how much you hate your job, can thus be especially damaging to your psyche. 

"When that 1,000 words a minute become increasingly negative and circular, we release too much adrenaline, too much cortisol" Doyle said.  

"The mind, the body, the spirit, are in a constant state of tension and anxiety." 

Over time that can also lead to some serious physical issues. 

Research shows that increased amounts of cortisol - which is connected to our 'fight or flight' response in dangerous situations - can cause increased blood sugar levels. 

It has also been linked to weight gain, gastrointestinal problems and even fertility issues as it disturbs normal menstrual cycles.

Difficulty sleeping or increasing your glasses of red wine after work could also be signs that something deeper is troubling you, Doyle warned. 

These symptoms, he said, are often indications that you have disconnected from your 'core feelings' and are no longer in tune with your emotions.

This can lead to other symptoms, including separating yourself from those close to you as you sink deeper into self-criticism and self-blame. 

A daily journal can be a great way to both organise our thoughts and halt the cycle of negative self-talk, according to Doyle. 

"Informally write down, 'What am I thinking, what am I feeling, what do I want to do here'", he advised. 

"And then another beautiful question for quiet reflection on the weekend at home is, 'What do I need to create from my life today to have few or no regrets?'"

This can help us cut the cord from a job that isn't fueling our 'human spirit', as Doyle calls it, and change the way we speak to ourselves. 

"We're shifting from a negative emotional state into a state of trust and loving kindness to ourselves," he said. 

"We must nurture ourselves first. Self-nurture is the beginning of personal power, which is the beginning of happiness in the workplace."   

When should you call it quits at work?

Stress comes with every job, but when does it become dangerous to your physical and mental health? 

Trouble sleeping and an increased desire to up your drinking could be signs you're feeling dissatisfied with work.

If you're feeling drowned in negative thoughts of self-doubt, you could also be physically hurting yourself. 

These negative feelings can lead to an increase of adrenaline and cortisol in the body. 

Overtime, an increased presence of cortisol can lead to weight gain, increased blood sugar and even fertility problems. 

The emotional issues that come with frequent job stress may also negatively impact your relationships outside of the workplace. 

If you find you're distancing yourself from your friends and loved ones and suffering from the pressures above, it may be time to consider leaving your job.

- Daily Mail

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