Burning the Candle From Both Ends: Are You Living to Work?

Written By: Ben Bernstein

December 6, 2024

A student, just starting their first year of college, knows that the work needs to be done, and there’s so much to do.  They’ll pull all-nighters.  They’ll study for hours until their eyes are too tired to focus for the sake of making the A.  They know that their academic success (not to mention all of the extra things they’re doing, like clubs and volunteer work)  is tied to what internships they can get, and once they enter the workforce, potential job opportunities.  


Fast forward a few years:  this young adult is just starting out in their entry-level job, and is working as hard as they can to move up the ranks.  They’re taking whatever assignments their boss puts in front of them to make a good impression; doing this over time becomes typical for them, and they get a couple of promotions.  They get married, have a couple of kids.  They have no time for themselves, let alone their family.  All of the responsibility is piling up, with no end in sight.  They start to get frustrated, then hopeless.  They’re losing sleep, their work performance suffers.  They feel like the weight of the world is crashing down on them.  


This person meant well; after all, this is what their parents told them to do. “If you work hard, good things will happen,” they said.  It is so easy to live life like you’re in fast-forward, not taking in the beautiful, small moments in daily life.  Do you find yourself in a similar situation?  Do you find yourself burning the candle from both ends to ensure that all the work is done?  If so, this blog post is for you.  


According to the American Psychological Association, there are dire consequences if workplace burnout is left untreated, including increased risk of hypertension, depressive disorders, as well as Type II Diabetes.  For employers, this also includes a greater risk of more extended absences (two weeks or more) d/t illness.  


It’s helpful to first notice the signs of burnout before your condition becomes worse.  Here are several things to watch out for:  

  1. Physical symptoms, such as headaches and digestive issues   

  2. Increased irritability with others, including friends/colleagues/family 

  3. Questioning the value/purpose of the work you do 

  4. Lack of energy 

  5. Lack of motivation 

  6. Waiting until the last minute to complete tasks 


Here are a few things you can do to avoid workplace burnout: 

  1.  Make yourself a priority.  If you need to take a day off, take it.  If you need to attend an appointment for your physical or mental health, please do so. 

  2. Your relationships matter.  Make time for the important people in your life, including yourself.  Weekly traditions, such as game nights or book clubs can be a great way to connect with others while you’re “off the clock.”  

  3. Be honest with yourself if a workplace is not a good fit.  It can be so easy to try and “make it work” the best you can.  If you’re feeling like the job isn’t rewarding, if you’re bored a lot of the time, or if there are harmful relationships within the work space that make you feel unsafe, it may be time to look at your options and try to find a new job.  

 

Let’s be honest for a minute: there are many workplaces that don’t take care of their employees.  Here are a couple of things that you can speak up for:  


  1. 2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate?  When your efforts are being ignored, it can be easy to not care about what you’re doing.  Brainstorm with your coworkers or your boss about ways that the company can recognize the work that you do.  

  2. You deserve to feel that you belong.  If you’re feeling isolated from your coworkers, discuss with your boss possible events that could make you and your coworkers feel more connected, such as a company lunch or an outside gathering after work.  

  3. Every move you make, every step you take, they’ll be watching you.  If you feel like an ant under a magnifying glass, this can lead to workplace stress and burnout.  One thing that you can do to speak up is to ask for a meeting with your Human Resources representative.  They can provide feedback to your boss about their managing style and how that is affecting the workplace.  Employees need a sense of control and freedom in their workplace.  


It can be so easy to find yourself going through the motions:  going to work, coming home, watching TV for a few hours (some of us are checking our work email while we do it), and then going to bed.  Rinse and repeat, day after day, just on autopilot.  It can be so easy to take the work with you, to stress about all of the tasks you need to get done.  Your needs matter!  If you need to take time off, do so.  If you need to attend to your needs, I invite you not to feel guilty for taking care of yourself.  And if you see that things, no matter how many times you try and speak up, aren’t changing, then it’s time to try and look for something else.  


Are you experiencing workplace stress and burnout?  To schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact us at Champaign Counseling (info@champaigncounseling.com) or call us at 217-203-2008.  


Resources: 

  1.  American Psychological Association:  Employers Need to Focus on Workplace Burnout:  Here’s Whyhttps://www.apa.org/topics/healthy-workplaces/workplace-burnout

  2. Mayo Clinic:  Job Burnout:  How to spot it and take actionhttps://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642

  3. Greater Good Magazine (University of California, Berkeley): Six Causes of Burnout at Work.   https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_causes_of_burnout_at_work

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