burnout: what it looks like

Burnout is when we feel overwhelmed emotionally and physically, so much so, it becomes almost impossible to function in our work or personal life or both. Burnout affects people in different ways, but there are common signs to look out for. Discover what they are by reading this article.

why does burnout happen?

Today’s technology-driven, always-on culture is contributing to more-and-more of us feeling burnt out. Constantly checking our inboxes the second they ping and always being contactable via our mobiles and other devices means it can be difficult to switch off. All of which causes increasing pressure and demands within the accountant community.

What’s more, having to juggle working from home with looking after the kids and other family members, can blur the lines between work and home. And when you throw today’s 21st century always-on culture into the mix, it can become increasingly difficult to stop functioning at a million miles an hour.

“I felt that there was quite a bit of stress in my life. I had a lot of weight on my shoulders as I was in the process of building a team. I also felt that perhaps the way I was going about things wasn't the most time-effective. I was working day and night, yet still not achieving what I felt I should be.”

Robert

caba client

10 signs of burnout

Stress is often an early warning sign of burnout and one of the main symptoms. But here are a few other signs to look out for in your day-to-day life:

3. Tiredness

Feeling fatigued because your energy levels are low can result in you wanting to sleep longer because you’re trying to regain the energy you’ve lost from working so hard. What’s more, operating with less energy can also be more draining in itself.

4. Poor motivation

When you’re burnt out, it can be a challenge to do the things you usually don’t mind doing. You may find you’re struggling to get of bed in the morning, finding cooking a chore and avoiding team meetings and work outings.

5. Irritability

Low energy levels and the lack of sleep brought on by burnout can also result in people generally having less patience and getting aggravated by things that wouldn’t usually irritate them

6. Detached outlook

Being pushed to the brink can lead to feeling detached from everything around you. It may be that things you used to enjoy no longer appeal to you, or, in more serious cases, you stop caring about yourself (e.g. personal hygiene) and those around you.

7. Digestive issues

Our digestive system can be heavily affected by our body’s fight or flight response. Issues, such as diarrhoea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), nausea and indigestion are some of the ways stress can impact our digestive system.

8. Anxiety

A constant feeling of dread, and there being no apparent reason for that dread, can be a sign of burnout or Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The disorder can be aggravated or caused by long-term stress and burnout.

9. Constant overdrive

You may find yourself worrying about work, even when you’re taking part in fun activities, such as family days out. When you can’t switch off, it’s not uncommon for you to constantly be worrying about what could happen, even when it might not…

10. Feeling overwhelmed

When you hit a certain point, you may find that you feel overwhelmed emotionally, even if there isn’t much going on. You may have a lighter workload than usual, but are struggling to get through it because you have less energy and motivation than usual.

noticing these signs?

If you’re feeling like life is starting to spiral out of control, it’s important that you intervene and make changes early on. The earlier you tackle the issue the less it will impact your wellbeing. That’s why we’re here. To help you find the right support for you. Whether that be talking to our registered counsellors or joining our safe and confidential support community to chat to others going through similar experiences.

You can also sign up to our free, dedicated Managing Burnout Course, which will provide you with practical guidance on the best way to manage your mental health and avoid burnout.

For more practical advice on preventing burnout, read burnout: how to prevent it (10 tips)

burnout: how to prevent it

Our research shows that burnout is on the rise, with over 50% of accountants admitting that they suffer from stress and burnout. Taking the time to implement more self-care measures into our everyday routines is pivotal to helping prevent it.

burnout at work mental health expert.png

burnout at work: advice from a mental health expert

Read more from our mental health expert, Kirsty Lilley, as she shares her thoughts and advice on how chartered accountants and ICAEW members can prevent and address burnout at work.

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your questions answered

Who is eligible for support?

We support past and present members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW), ACA students, ICAEW staff members, and the family and carers of members and students.

No matter where your career takes you, past and present members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England Wales (ICAEW) are eligible for caba’s services for life, even if you change your career and leave accountancy
ACA students (ICAEW Provisional Members) who are either an active student or have been an active student within the last three years are eligible for caba's services
Past and present staff members of the ICAEW or caba are eligible for caba's services for life, even if you leave either organisation. Please note, for former employees, our financial support is only available to those who have had five years continuous employment with either organisation
Family members and carers of either an eligible past or present ICAEW member, ACA student or past or present employee of the ICAEW or caba are eligible for caba's support. We define a family member as a:
1. spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner
2. widow, widower or surviving civil partner who has not remarried or cohabiting with a partner
3. divorced spouse or civil partner who has not remarried or cohabiting with a partner
4. child aged up to 25. Please note, children aged between 16 and 25 are not eligible for individual financial support
5. any other person who is dependent on the eligible individual supporting them financially or are reliant on the eligible individual’s care
6. any other person on whom the eligible individual is reliant, either financially or for care

You can find out more about our available support both in the UK and around the world on our support we offer page and by using our interactive eligibility tool.