How To Tell When You Go From Just Tired To Burnt Out

Feeling exhausted after a day at work? Extra irritable by the time the weekend rolls around?

Teachers, counselors, and helpers picture this: you work all day at a job you love, one that you have either had for years or months, when slowly you realize that you are feeling more exhausted than usual. Getting up in the morning feels impossible. Being around others is no longer relaxing. You feel unappreciated in the work that you love so much.

What is happening?

Burnout is a reality for those in the helping field and for some it can lead to dissatisfaction and disconnection from their professional passions. It can contribute to decreased productivity, increased irritability, and interpersonal conflicts. Burnout does not always stay at work and can often interfere with other aspects of life leading to conflicts with loved ones and stress at home. Sometimes it can be hard to recognize and define, so what is burnout really?

What does it look like?

When identifying burnout some of the most common signs include:

• Irritability and increased cynicism

• Loss of energy and extreme fatigue

• Inability to cope and recharge

• Withdrawal from others

• Dissatisfaction with work and thoughts of leaving the job

What to do about it?

Burnout can be an intimidating word and it can feel overwhelming to recognize presence of burnout in your life. However, you do not need to face it alone. Counseling can provide the space you need to tackle the effects of burnout and process through distressing emotions.  

The counselors at Dallas Healing House are passionate about helping those in the community that help others. Contact us today to start a self-care plan.

Authored by: Rachel Tweed, LPC