When burnout symptoms begin to appear, something we often add to our emotional burden without realizing it is the guilt we feel for not being as productive.
How can we tell if what we are experiencing is burnout, and not laziness?
- We feel disconnected from everything: We do things on "autopilot." We feel separated from ourselves.
- We used to be motivated: A lazy person never felt motivated or enthusiastic about their work. If we used to have ambition and a desire to excel and that has been lost, burnout may be the reason.
- We used to be passionate: A clear difference between a lazy person and an exhausted person is that the latter has hobbies, pastimes, things they are passionate about and excited to do. When we suffer from burnout, we stop enjoying them.
- We are moody and irritable: We begin to feel emotionally out of control and get irritated easily. Lazy people tend to be carefree.
- We have neglected our self-care: Ignoring self-care and withdrawing socially are key indicators of an emotionally exhausted person.
- The changes occurred gradually: Burnout occurs in stages. At first, it manifests as sustained stress, followed by a loss of motivation, occasional exhaustion, and finally chronic exhaustion.
The most important sign is that, before the burnout, you simply did not act this way. As exhaustion set in, changes came with it.
Burnout syndrome is something that develops gradually. If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms and feel that you need help, please fill out the form at the end of this article. You can request an appointment with one of our burnout specialists.
