Whether you’ve just entered the workforce or you have years of experience in the field, there may come a point in your career where you start to feel exhausted. Professional burnout has many causes and is a common symptom experienced by professionals throughout their careers. By taking the time to explore various ways to overcome professional burnout, you can identify it and take preventive measures to stop it from developing further.

What is professional burnout, really? See how you can identify it and what you can do about it.

In the workplace, professional burnout is the process by which an employee begins to feel unmotivated or discouraged by their work. Professional burnout arises from the constant or repeated experience of stress. In some cases, professional burnout may be related to depression and can hinder an employee’s work performance. 

Here are some basic types of professional burnout and their causes:

Burnout due to under-challenge: Burnout under challenge results from an employee feeling undervalued at their work. They may also have started to feel bored because their work is too easy compared to their skills or qualifications. 

Burnout due to overload: Burnout due to overload results from an employee dedicated too much time and effort to their professional life. Additionally, overload exhaustion can arise when an employee is given too many responsibilities or unrealistic expectations by the employer. 

Burnout due to neglect: Neglect burnout arises from an employee feeling that their work performance is inadequate. These employees also struggle to meet demands in the workplace.

Professional burnout differs from temporary stress, so it's important to determine whether you're actually experiencing professional burnout or just having a tough week at work. Here are some common signs of professional burnout that will help you identify your own mental, emotional and physical state at work. 

Work fatigue may be due to various factors other than professional burnout, such as lack of sleep, long commutes, or personal issues. However, if you find that your work environment and responsibilities seem to drain you, this could be a sign that you're starting to experience exhaustion in your daily work. 

When someone experiences recurring anxiety at work or doesn't feel appreciated for their contribution, they may develop depression or anxiety at work. If you constantly feel depressed or anxious, develop an action plan to improve your mental and emotional state. 

If you find yourself zoning out or struggling to complete tasks that you used to finish in no time, this could be a sign of professional burnout. One reason for this could be that you now find the job too easy or too difficult to be consistent with. 

Cynicism is the process by which individuals believe that those around them are self-centered. For employees who feel undervalued, cynicism is a common sign of professional burnout. 

A common sign of professional burnout is an overall decrease in an individual's work performance. This is usually because the employee feels overwhelmed or desperate about their work responsibilities. 

1. Take a vacation

2. Have an honest conversation with your employer

3. Take a break from work

4. Change your routine

5. Change your work environment

6. Talk to a family member or friend

7. Remind yourself of your purpose in your company

8. Engage with your colleagues in a different way

9. Plan fun activities for the weekend

10. Join a group to explore your interests

11. Take frequent breaks during the day

12. Incorporate exercise into your day

13. Change your diet

14. Set daily goals to boost your self-confidence 

If you've tried to overcome professional burnout and still don't see any changes, perhaps it's time for a new job. Consider looking for internal promotions or opportunities at other companies.