Debates, both online and offline, have been dominated by much-needed talks on burnout, its signs, and how to manage or prevent it. 

With search trends increasing by 781% this week for ‘quiet quitting’ and workers beginning to examine the environments of their workplaces and the work-life balance, prioritising their physical wellbeing and mental health, it’s vital to know when healthy stress can turn into something more damaging. 

Eoin Keenan, the founder of wellness brand Goodrays, explains the symptoms to look out for and offers ways to manage them through sleep, exercise and a balanced diet. 

People will have different symptoms of burnout; some exhibit depressive symptoms and mental and emotional tiredness, while others respond more physically.

However, symptoms of burnout are typical symptoms of burnout: bad moods, exhaustion, a change in sleeping habits, and becoming ill more frequently.

Other symptoms include

• Lack of motivation and creativity 
• A sense of helplessness
• Making mistakes at work and home 
• Having trouble switching off from work 
• Nausea 
• Memory loss 

• Anxiety 

Eoin said: ‘Burnout can come from a buildup of stress, which can have serious consequences. People can get so busy and stressed out that they must stop everything they’re doing to find a balance so that their physical health doesn’t deteriorate and mental health concerns don’t develop.’

Eoin’s three top tips for managing burnout 

If you are experiencing any or all of the symptoms above, it’s essential to know what to do next. Managing job burnout is not easy, but these tips from Eoin at Goodrays are a great place to start: 

• It’s critical to prioritise self-care since burnout occurs when time demands surpass energy levels. So despite your feelings, give yourself enough rest, exercise, eat well, try CBD (such as gummies) to help settle the stress and engage in activities that make you feel alive. 
• Reach out to the people in your life who might be able to help and talk to your employer about what you’re experiencing. It’s essential to be clear about what you can deliver and what you can’t. 
• Establish clear boundaries between your personal and professional lives. For example, turn off all gadgets and notifications at the end of the day and during breaks from work.