Do you dread going to the workplace every day? Is sleep eluding you most nights because of so many work-related thoughts? Is your job not giving you joy or fulfillment anymore? If you’ve answered yes to any of the above, you might be experiencing emotional overwhelm or burnout due to your job.

Work-related stress is common; it is, in fact, considered a major source of worry. A survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) revealed that a mere 37 percent of Americans in the employment force are sufficiently managing the pressure that comes with their work. This indicates that over 60 percent are struggling with work stress; about half are struggling with the chronic (long-term) type.

Work Burnout Defined

Work stress comes with every job no matter how much passion you have for it. Remember that being exposed to excessive work stress for a long time is not healthy. You can be swamped with too much work and thoughts that may lead to chronically feeling overwhelmed. Burnout is one possible consequence of chronic overwhelm. Burnout can also lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns as well.

Burnout can be a response to all the stresses and stressors within your workplace. Often, it has many causes that make it more complicated. Without intervention, pressures may mount until you become emotionally and physically drained. It can make you feel inept, tired, empty, hopeless and helpless, even distrustful and resentful. You may feel you have given your all and that there’s nothing more to give.

Getting Help For Chronic Overwhelm

The nature of your job or profession has nothing to do with workplace burnout. Whether you are a trainee or a successful CEO, you can be overwhelmed at work. Passionate and hard-driven people may be more susceptible because of having ambitious goals and possibly the tendency to be obsessed with fast recognition and promotion. Industry and company leaders are also inherently stressed with their desire to stay on top and to provide a good environment to the people working for them.

Embrace this reality: you can’t please all people and meet all of your top goals without sacrificing yourself. To survive the pressures, the trick is to know your options. Counseling can help prevent chronic overwhelm from turning into burnout. 

Get Some Support

Often, it is hard to overcome emotional overwhelm on your own. You need someone to listen to you and assist you in sorting out what needs to be done and make an effective plan. Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC contracts with skilled licensed therapists who can help. 

Therapy is a great place to begin to explore your overwhelm and find healthy ways to work through it. You don’t have to become burned out when you intervene sooner rather than later. Call CCS today to schedule your first appointment.

Related Articles:

• Are You Burned Out?
• Emotional Overwhelm: Don’t Underestimate It
• Getting in Touch with Your Emotions through Psychotherapy