Workaholics and Office Heroes Most Vulnerable to Burnout

Burnout can strike anyone at any point in their career. That feeling that you are sick of your job, or that you cannot physically keep going at your current pace, is a universal risk for all workers. However, some experts believe that there are certain work personalities that are much more likely to suffer from burnout. It probably won’t surprise you to learn that these include the workaholics, the Type A workers and the overachievers.

These people tend to take on way too much, so they operate at full throttle for a short period of time before they will eventually run out of gas. Trying to be the office star or hero involves a high amount of stress, which takes its tool both mentally and physically.

To avoid the risk of burnout, you should try to avoid taking on the weight of the entire office on your shoulders. Yes, it’s great to save the day occasionally, but you cannot take on that role on a permanent basis or it will quickly wear you out. You should also be on alert for the early signs of stress-related burnout so you can change course quickly before you risk the more serious health issues that can accompany stress and burnout.

If you fear you are heading towards burnout, try to lighten your workload and stress level (or at least resist the urge to volunteer to take on additional tasks). Also, take steps to alleviate your stress levels through exercise, meditation or whatever other methods work for you.

Have you suffered from burnout at work? Share your story in the comments.

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