Expert reveals the signs you're suffering from job BURNOUT... and what to do about it
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 Australia about how you can recognize 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 those 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.
Another symptom of feeling burnout at work, according to Doyle, is when your job no longer nurtures the 'human spirit'.
Our feelings of joy and spontaneity - things that help fuel our personal creativity - get lost when we no longer feel satisfied by what we do on a daily basis.
They can instead be replaced with constant irritability or even fear as we become consumed by that negative self-talk circulating so quickly through our brain.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, where stress can come from all kinds of places, it's not always easy to pinpoint the origin of our negative thoughts.
A daily journal can be a great way to both organize 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.'
Article Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4243808/Expert-reveals-signs-suffering-job-BURNOUT.html#ixzz4ZKPBpHzc
Image Source: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/21/00/3D77F7CA00000578-0-image-a-3_1487635864191.jpg
VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Frustration = (n.) the feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of inability to change or achieve something.
2. Obstacle = (n.) also called a barrier, impediment or stumbling block
3. Detrimental = (n.) tending to cause harm.
4. Quits = (adj.) (of two people) on even terms, especially because a debt or score has been settled.
5. nurtures = (v.) care for and encourage the growth or development of.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. What would you prefer, a job that pays a high salary but there’s no enjoyment in it, or a job that you enjoy and makes you happy but pays an average salary?
2. Do you or do you not find your job interesting? Why?
3. What stressors do you have in your office?
4. What do you do when you’re already burnt out at work?
5. What do you do to avoid or lessen stress and disinterest at work and in the office?
