It’s no secret that we’re all feeling pretty exhausted right now. 

Not only is there a lot going on in the world, but we’re also navigating the ongoing transition back to ‘normal’ as we get used to life without Covid-19 restrictions once again.

It’s a lot to handle – so it’s no surprise that many of us are feeling stressed out and overwhelmed as a result. But how can you tell when this kind of exhaustion is becoming a problem and developing into full-blown burnout?

While it’s not always obvious, there are a number of key warning signs you can keep an eye out for. 

To find out exactly what these key signs are – and what they mean – we asked Dr Megan Jones Bell, former chief science officer at Headspace, to break down three common burnout red flags. Here’s what she had to say.

According to Dr Jones Bell, the biggest indicator that we could be heading towards burnout is a drop in our energy levels throughout the day – so it’s really important that we remain aware of what our ‘normal’ energy levels are.

“Our normal energy levels are a really strong signal about your overall health, frankly,” she explains. “So, I would look ask yourself, ‘Am I feeling more tired?’ 

“For me, I notice I start sighing a lot, and I start talking about how I’m tired or feel more inclined to have more caffeinated beverages at a certain time of day.”

She continues: “There are lots of behavioural cues – it might be that you’re starting to sigh, it might be that you’re walking towards the coffee or tea more often, but it’s in our energy.

“Our energy is a very clear indicator of your mental and physical load.”

Our sleep is inextricably linked to all the other areas of our body, so it makes sense that a change in our sleeping patterns could be a sign that something is going on.

“Sleep disturbance is another sign that you could be developing burnout, whether you’re having a hard time falling asleep, or you’re waking up and you don’t feel well rested,” Dr Jones Bell tells Stylist. “So, with sleep we do care about quantity – getting fewer hours of sleep than normal is one indicator – but what is actually more powerful is your sleep quality.

“If you wake up and don’t feel rested, you’re not getting good quality sleep. It might be that you’re not getting enough sleep, but most likely it’s the sleep quality. 

“There is a direct relationship between daytime stress and difficulty falling asleep, and that’s actually why meditation and mindful practices can help people sleep better, because managing daytime stress is a huge opportunity in terms of improving your night-time experience.”

Because of the toll burnout takes on our bodies, it can often manifest as feeling depressed or low – and this is another key sign to look out for.

“Often before we feel sad and depressed – before a really low mood starts – it can surface as feeling flat. We start to lose enjoyment in the things that typically bring us pleasure,” Dr Jones Bell explains. 

“When I get like this I feel more inclined to isolate myself and not go out with friends even though that is something that is, in general, pleasurable for me,” she continues. “I have this visual of it – I start to retreat into my shell. I do fewer things, I spend more time asleep at home.

“Look out for whether you’re engaged in more passive activities than active activities. For example, while going home and watching TV rather than going out with friends might be something that you do to help give yourself a break, if you’re starting to do that every night, and you typically have more of a balance of me time versus social time, that can be a clue.”

While the three points above could be a sign that you’re edging towards burnout, they could also be a sign that you might be dealing with a more serious mental health issue. Always seek professional advice if you’re worried about your mental health and wellbeing.

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with their mental health or emotional wellbeing, you can find support and resources on the mental health charity Mind’s website and NHS Every Mind Matters or access the NHS’ guide to local mental health helplines and organisations here.

If you are struggling, you can also ask your GP for a referral to NHS Talking Therapies, or you can self-refer.

You can also call the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org for confidential support.

This article was originally published in 2019, and has since been updated throughout.

Images: Getty/Unsplash