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It is not always easy to spot signs of overwork. Burnout sets in slowly, the signs are subtle, and easy to ignore till the person suddenly collapses. It’s common for people to push through fatigue or stress due to a mix of certain obligations, go-getter nature, or fear of falling behind.

Rima Bhandekar, Senior Psychologist Mpower. Aditya Birla Education Trust shared 3 tell-tale signs you’re overworked and need a break:

1. Constantly feeling tired:

Fatigue or constant feeling of tiredness after sleeping enough hours is one of the most obvious signs of burnout. One may feel they have slept well and still feel not refreshed after getting up. This could be because the mind is overworked, even when there is not much movement throughout the day to the body.

Tip: Carve out mini-breaks from your schedule: Schedule a reminder in your calendar to remind yourself to take at least a minute long break every hour. Even a 1-minute pause to stretch your body, breathe deeply for a minute, or just close your eyes to visualize something soothing can help refresh your energy.

What does burnout look like? (Source: Freepik)

2. Feeling unfocused or forgetting tasks

The ability to focus is affected by overwork. One may find themselves to be distracted too easily or struggle to finish or continue tasks, have too many thoughts at the same time making it very difficult to concentrate.

Tip: The 5-3-2 technique: Take a 5-minute break and do something unrelated to work (example – drinking healthy juice or solving easy puzzles). Then, focus on three key tasks, and after those, reward yourself with a 2-minute break. This sequence enhances focus while avoiding exhaustion.

3. Quick Irritation:

If you are emotionally overloaded, one will see that they easily get irritated at others, or over small tasks or problems that one would otherwise stay calm over in the past. Stress reduces one’s tolerance level and affects one’s emotions, making it harder to maintain one’s coolness and composure.

Tip: The “brain dump”: Jot down the thoughts that gather in your mind at that moment for a few minutes. This releases mental confusion and can help you gain clarity, reducing feelings of overwhelm. If you’re struggling to manage stress or exhaustion, you don’t have to do it alone.