We all know the feeling of being tired. We’ve all been there, slumped in our chairs with heavy eyes and a pounding headache. But what about when fatigue turns into something more? When every day feels like an energy-sapping slog, and you can’t muster up the enthusiasm to do anything – even the things you used to enjoy? That’s burnout. And it’s not the same as being tired. So, what are the key differences between these two states? Let’s take a closer look.
Tiredness vs Burnout
Tiredness and burnout are two very different things. Being tired means that you have run on fumes while being burnt out is more serious than just feeling exhausted – it’s when your mental health begins to suffer too!
TIREDNESS: occurs due to lack of sleep or restful slumber. Being tired is a natural response to physical or mental exertion. It’s when you’ve had enough and want some rest, but it can also happen if someone has been working hard all day long without taking time off; they might be more likely than usual not only feel like stopping – they may actually do so out of necessity!
BURNOUT: Being burnt out is a much deeper state of being. It’s not just about feeling tired, but rather emotional and mental exhaustion.
Burnout happens when people feel like they’re constantly working, but without any personal satisfaction or joy from the task at hand.
How do you know if you’re experiencing burnout?
You may not be able to tell that you’re experiencing burnout, but it’s important for your mental and physical health. If this sounds like something familiar in yourself or someone close who might need some help managing their work-life balance then there are steps we can take together!
The symptoms of being burned out include:
- Feeling worn down from constantly trying new things at home/work.
- Having less energy than usual – even when sleeping 8 hours per day (or more).
- Talented yet unable complete the task.
- Increased levels of stress hormones which lead us back into feeling tired because they have been released too much due to this chronic state.
- Lack of focus on tasks given while working (or even just daily).
- Failing miserably over small details that used to be easy beforehand…(you get what I’m saying here!).
How can you prevent or recover from burnout?
The most important thing to remember is that burnout can happen at any time. It’s an easy and quick way for your body/mind system to get overtired, stressed out, or overworked. however, we’ve got some great tips on how YOU could stop this from happening
- You might need to prioritize your work. You can do this by setting clear goals for the day and then breaking down each task into smaller units that you complete during those time periods until it becomes easy enough not only to manage but also to enjoy!
- Take care of your physical, emotional, and mental health by eating healthy foods.
- Find time for restful sleep each night (at least 8 hours).
- Exercise or yoga at least 3 days per week. This will help you have more energy during the day so that you don’t feel burnt out before your tasks are actually finished!
- Enjoyable hobbies such as reading books, learning photography, playing guitar, playing sports, and even dancing.
Conclusion:
We all want to be at our best when we’re working, but there are ways you can keep your mental health up while also keeping on top of deadlines and meeting goals! Take care of yourself by taking breaks from work every couple of hours; make sure you get enough sleep (at least 8 hours); healthy diet; drink water before meals so you’re not hungry when they come around; don’t forget to take some time for fun activities outside the office, and setting boundaries with work/life balance in mind.