This week I was reflecting on the impact of stress and how stress and burnout can manifest differently in each individual.
Here are some signs of stress and burnout that might not be immediately obvious, but can have a significant impact on your wellbeing and leadership effectiveness
o Lack of Concentration: Difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, or struggling to complete tasks that were once manageable, could be due to mental exhaustion.
o Perfectionism: While striving for excellence is admirable, an excessive need for perfection can lead to stress. Feeling anxious about minor mistakes or constantly critiquing your performance might indicate burnout.
o Decreased Empathy: When stress and burnout set in, you might find it challenging to connect emotionally with others. Your ability to empathise with patients, team members, or even loved ones may diminish.
o Physical Ailments: Chronic stress can manifest physically as headaches, digestive issues, muscle tension, or even frequent illnesses. These physical symptoms can be related to underlying stressors.
o Reduced Creativity: If you notice a decline in your ability to come up with innovative solutions or creative ideas, it could be due to mental fatigue caused by stress.
o Loss of Satisfaction: Feeling unfulfilled even after achieving professional goals or experiencing a lack of satisfaction from successes might indicate burnout.
o Negative Self-Talk: Constantly criticising yourself, having self-doubts, or engaging in negative self-talk can be indicative of emotional strain.
Paying attention to any shifts in your emotional, mental, or physical well-being and developing daily practices to help you, are beneficial ways to promote wellbeing at work. If you notice any of these subtle signs, it's important to address them early on and take steps to prioritise self-care and seek support if needed.
Join my upcoming Monthly Free Coaching Circle to learn some more practical ways to build your leadership confidence, better manage stress and enhance your wellbeing at work!