Y’all…I’m tired. I’m sure everyone can commiserate with me on being tired for one reason or another. It could be working from home with the family all under the same roof. Maybe it’s from working in the office all day and then coming home to make dinner, give baths, or any other tasks that need to be done before turning in for the night.

Many times, when I’ve thought about being tired or flat out exhausted from the things going on in my life, the first thought that comes to mind is part of a song from the Mel Brooks movie “Blazing Saddles.” The female character, Lili Von Shtüpp (played by Madeline Kahn), gets on stage and sings about being tired. Unfortunately, I can’t go into the full details of the lyrics because of their suggestive nature, but saying the words, “I’m tired,” like she does in the movie, makes me smile.

The more I thought about the fact that I was tired, the more I realized that I have been grumpier than usual, and it made me wonder if it was burnout. I remember being at home and being so exhausted from everything going on in my life that I literally said out loud, “I’m done. I’m just done.” I had no idea what I was done with, but I knew I was done.

The Signs Of Burnout

With realizing that I’m burned out, it made me wonder what the signs of burnout are. Check out the list below:

Setting the alarm too early so that you can use the snooze button. I’m absolutely guilty of doing this. In my mind, I’m convinced that it will trick me somehow into getting up at an early time to give me plenty of time to get ready. Hasn’t worked yet.
Being depleted at work. Do you know the feeling at work where you feel like you’re just drained and have nothing left to give in that moment (or day)? We’ve all felt this at one point or another. But if you start to feel this way on a consistent basis, then it’s probably time to take some time off for yourself.
Inconsistent sleep patterns. This one is easy to spot. Late nights and early mornings catch up to you eventually and cause you to lose valuable sleep, and can make you feel burned out. Catching up on sleep over the weekend is nice but can mess with your sleep pattern.
Feeling liberated after leaving the office on Friday afternoon/evening. This one is pretty self-explanatory. We all love the feeling of leaving work on a Friday to start our weekend so we can enjoy our plans. But if you feel like you’ve regained your freedom when leaving, then you might be burned out.
Explaining your job with “fine.” You’ve probably also used the line, “Oh, you know. Living the dream.”
Constantly being asked about your feelings. In the moment, it might seem nosy or irritating. However, you’re probably being asked because you might be more cranky or snippy at your friends, coworkers, and family.
Not spending time with coworkers. Okay, you don’t have to spend time with your coworkers after work. But if you like your coworkers and enjoy seeing them outside of the office, then this could help you with feeling burned out. You could even take it as an opportunity to ask your coworkers if they’re feeling the same way.

Preventing Burnout

You’re now probably thinking about whether or not you’re burned out. And if you’re one of the lucky few who aren’t, then you’re probably wondering how to prevent it. Here’s a few ideas on what you can do:

Exercise. Even if you’re not a fan of exercising (I know I’m not!), this could still be a way to work out some stress from the daily grind at the office.
Eat a balanced diet. We’ve known since elementary school to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Most adults feel sluggish and/or just “off” when they eat junk food. Eating the right foods can help give you the energy you need to zip through your day and even keep you motivated to power through your afternoon.
Practice good sleep habits. You’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times. You need adequate sleep every night to function properly. Have you ever gone to bed late, got up early, and then felt like you needed more coffee than usual to get through the day? There’s a good chance you’re not sleeping enough. Aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
Ask for help. There’s no shame in asking for help if you’re feeling burned out. It could be asking a coworker for help with a project or two, calling a friend to vent to them about what’s going on, or maybe seeking the help of a professional.

We All Feel Burned Out Sometimes

Each and every team member with Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling has felt burned out and probably continues to feel that way as we come towards the end of the pandemic. Many of us will be taking long overdue vacations and even staycations. Others will power through and continue to work so they can take time off when they feel that they can. Just know that if you’re feeling burned out, you’re not alone. Make sure to practice self-care because you can’t pour from an empty cup, whether it’s at home or at work. A little R & R never hurt anyone.