If you feel so burnt out that it affects your physical or emotional well-being and hurts your relationships, that’s also a red flag. Take stock of how you feel at work. Are you often angry, closed off, numb or depressed? Is it like the Sunday creeps, but on steroids? If you’re having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, if you get angry easily, or if you feel sad or overly guilty, seek help.
“There is an overlapping Venn diagram between burnout and depression,” said Dr. Lotte Dyrbye, de chief wellness officer at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. “If you have the slightest suspicion that you’re not doing well, that’s what your doctor is there for, to help you sort that out.”
You are experiencing an identity shift
Work is often intertwined with people’s identities. Our job titles, the organization we work for, and even the amount of time we spend at work each day can become a big part of who we are. But what happens when your priorities change and you no longer feel the same level of attachment to your work?
“When people have a shift in some aspect of their identity, it can definitely lead to depression and anxiety,” said Stewart Shankman, a psychology professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
If work used to be a core part of your identity and isn’t anymore, that may be a reason to consider leaving. Even if you can’t stop working right now, try to take the time to explore the things that make sense to you right now. There may be another part of your life that fills the role that work used to play, Dr. Shankman said.
“Your job doesn’t necessarily have to be the thing that defines you,” he added.
You don’t feel valued or supported
Studies have shown that a little appreciation goes a long way for employees. Employees are not only more productive when their manager expresses gratitude, they also perform better when their teammates express appreciation, affirmation and respect.
A Pew survey found that low wages, a lack of advancement opportunities and a lack of respect at work were the top reasons Americans quit their jobs in 2021.
