Identifying Signs Your Job Responsibilities are Draining You (and What to Do)

Sometimes, work can be stressful and even feel draining to most people. To be honest, many employees cannot handle the long-term responsibilities of their careers. And this can put a real strain on their social, personal, and professional relationships. 

However, feeling drained does not always mean people hate their job. In some cases, doing mundane and repetitive jobs can spike the flames of disinterest and make people feel uncomfortable. 

The good news is that identifying the signs of burnout can help protect people from suffering as they work. It can also help them reevaluate their professional goals and ensure they are not stuck doing tedious work they do not appreciate. 

This article will look at signs of job burnout and dealing with jobs that feel draining to help improve health and productivity. 

What is Job Burnout?

Burnout is the feeling of stress or exhaustion after carrying out a task. In most cases, the feeling may continue for more than a day or two, causing people to feel drained and unable to master the motivation and enthusiasm to go to work.

This feeling of dread can be overwhelming for most people, leading to anxiety and stress associated with the job. Several factors can lead to people feeling overwhelmed by their job responsibilities. They include:

• The kind of tasks and responsibilities that they perform.
• Working late or long hours
• When a job affects an individual’s personal life. 
• The personality of an individual. 
• Health challenges. 
• A person’s lifestyle. 

That being said, working in some industries or titles within an organisation has higher rates of burnout than others. 

Signs of Burnout in Your Job

Burnout can present itself in multiple ways. However, the most common symptoms include:

• You feel like your job is a chore

The most common sign of a draining job is feeling like most responsibilities are a chore. If a job is exciting, most employees barely feel like they are performing any tasks. On the contrary, it might feel like they are just working on another hobby. 

However, workers often feel obligated to finish tasks instead of enjoying them when a job feels like a chore. This leads to losing interest, and their responsibilities become tedious. 

• You have anxiety thinking of work.

Secondly, when people start to experience persistent stress and anxiety, it might be an indication that they are suffering from burnout. Being tired and overwhelmed, worrying about tasks in the office, can often manifest itself as a dreadful feeling even before the day begins.

Anxiety can take a toll on an employee’s mental health, making them exhausted before they get to the office. 

• Feeling like you are out of place

Additionally, people who suffer from burnout might feel out of place in their jobs. Employees might start feeling uncertain about their goals, creating the impression that they are black sheep in the company.

In most cases, people can slowly dissociate and distance themselves from other team members. 

• Work does not feel meaningful.

Another sign of a draining job is the inability to find meaning in responsibilities and tasks. Individuals who struggle with their work might often ask questions like: if their work is essential, how does it affect the company’s outcome, and what values do they bring to the table?

If they do not find answers, they tend to feel that their responsibilities lack meaning and they are not valuable assets to the company. 

• Your productivity decreases over time.

Individuals with burnout also have reduced productivity. Anxiety and stress can drain a person’s energy, leaving them exhausted. Over time, it results in reduced productivity while performing tasks. 

• You feel unfocused and disengaged.

Moreover, exhaustion also leads to a lack of focus and disengagement from work. Individuals are more likely to get distracted when working, which can reduce their productivity. 

• You get triggered often.

Another warning sign of burnout is overreacting to events in the office. When people are stressed, they often get emotionally triggered by events or confrontations in the office.

• Feeling like you are not in control

Draining responsibilities can also leave many people feeling like they are not in control of their lives. This can create a feeling of stagnation and helplessness, which can elevate their level of anxiety. 

• You talk negatively about work.

Most people who are in a draining job often find themselves talking negatively about their work. This mainly results from the stress, anxiety, and lack of motivation associated with the job. 

• You feel undervalued at work.

Lastly, employees might also feel that they are undervalued and underappreciated in the workplace. This is often the case if the responsibilities they have to make them work overtime or are much more than their job description, and they do not feel like they are compensated enough. 

Tips on What to Do if Your Job is Draining You

Here are a few tips people can try to help them cope better in their work environment. 

• Try to make your job enjoyable 

Making a task enjoyable can relieve the stress of tedious responsibilities. Individuals can gamify their duties to keep them engaged while working. 

• Take breaks

When people start feeling exhausted or disinterested in a task, the best option is to step away from the desk, take breaks and let their mind decongest. This can help refill their energy tank and keep them productive for longer. 

• Do regular exercise

Additionally, employees can start exercising regularly to help reduce burnout. Exercising is known to reduce stress and anxiety in the body, which fosters more relaxation while performing tasks. 

• Ask for support

Working as a team can help people stay engaged in their work, which reduces mental strain. By sharing ideas and responsibilities, they lighten the workload, making it easier for individuals. 

• Try relaxing activities

Taking part in relaxing activities can also help individuals eliminate stress and anxiety. Walks, yoga, cycling, or going out for fun activities can help recharge, enhancing productivity in the office.

In Conclusion

Identifying signs of burnout at work is critical for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Burnout can severely affect an individual’s emotional and physical health and professional relationships. 

Burnout symptoms can present in a variety of ways, including anxiety, decreased productivity, feeling out of place, and complaining about work. 

Some tips to combat burnout include asking for assistance from coworkers, taking breaks, engaging in stress-relieving activities, and reevaluating your professional objectives.

People can avoid burnout by prioritising health and maintaining a rewarding, productive, and happy profession.