Let's face it, day-to-day life is stressful and prolonged high stress can lead to burnout. This is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Recognizing the symptoms early can help you take action before burnout takes a toll on your well-being. How can you assess your current fatigue state and determine if you're experiencing burnout?

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1. Unusual Fatigue

Feeling tired is normal, but burnout-related fatigue feels different. If you’re experiencing exhaustion that is deeper and more persistent than your usual tiredness, it may be a sign to investigate further.

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2. Fatigue Interrupting Daily Activities

If your fatigue is preventing you from engaging in your normal routine such as exercising, socializing, or even simple tasks like cooking or cleaning, it could indicate a deeper issue.

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3. Impact on Relationships and Mood

Burnout doesn’t just affect your physical energy; it can also take an emotional toll. Have you noticed increased irritability, mood swings, or withdrawal from loved ones?

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4. Difficulty with Movement and Daily Chores

Extreme fatigue can even impact your ability to move around and complete everyday tasks. This includes walking, commuting, or handling daily responsibilities becoming noticeably more difficult.

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5. Ruling Out Other Causes

Before attributing symptoms solely to stress or burnout, it's important to rule out other medical conditions such as iron deficiency or Vitamin B12 deficiency, which can also cause extreme fatigue. Lab testing can rule these conditions out.

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What's next?

If you resonate with these symptoms and suspect you may be dealing with burnout, book an appointment and we can help identify the root cause and get you to feeling like yourself again.

Dr. Mackenzie ND