30 Signs You Are Overworked

1. Anxiety Before Beginning Work

Image Source/ IStockPhotoLadies, do you ever wake up on a Monday morning and just want your bed to swallow you up or do you get the 'Sunday Scaries'? Anxiety of going to work at the start of the week is a sign you are being overworked and not enjoying your job. If this is the case, you may want to rethink on staying at your job and to maybe find your next step in life.

2. Lack Of Energy

Image Source/ UniquehealthandwellnessResearch shows we only have a certain amount of mental energy. Every time we use our brain at work to make decisions, we use our mental reserves more. It's important to not waste energy on less important tasks such as mulling over which pair of work shoes to buy even though you already have three pairs. You should really focus on what's important.

3. Reduced Quality Of Work

Image Source/ UPIIs your boss on your case, despite your best efforts? This is another sign of being overworked. Perhaps you need to cut out the clutter and remove any distractions from your life. You need to work smart and focused, if you feel the amount of work is too much you need to address this with your team and boss. Its not about quantity, its about quality!

4. Difficulty Relaxing

Image Source/ SheknowsHas your partner asked you to watch your favourite show and all you can think of is the big project at work? If your unable to differentiate between work life and home life you definitely need to work on it! It's a balance that is of equal importance and it will keep you sane. If you are trying your hardest to squeeze in time to relax then this is a major sign and you must adjust your priorities!

5. You are Relying on Stimulants

Image Source/ LittlecoffeeplaceConstantly needing a coffee or an energy drink to get through the day is a major problem. If you find yourself using caffeine or any other stimulants to get work done and keep energy levels up, you may wish to look at changing your diet, getting more sleep and incorporating exercise into your routine to boost your energy levels. This is a much better and healthier alternative.

6. Feeling Disconnected from Friends and Family

Image Source/ MorganplanHas your mum rang you and said " Ive not seen you for six weeks ! " This is a sign you are forgetting what is most important in life, family and friends. You must not let your job get in between you visiting and spending time with friends and family. You may need to speak to your boss about this and see if any support can be offered.

7. Your To-Do Wont Stop Growing

Image Source/ HrgrapevineAttempts to stay organised are really useful with a busy lifestyle but if you're waking up in the morning with five things to do throughout the day and then going to bed with ten things to do, this is a sign of being overworked. Not having the time or energy to cope with day to day tasks is unpractical and draining.

8. Working Overtime

Image Source/ RightandfreeAre you working from home and finding yourself still working at 10pm at night? This is a common issue with people working from home and it is destroying work/life balance. It is important to set boundaries that would mirror your hours working in an office or other workplace.

9. Looking Shabby

 Image source/ PinterestHave you let your personal image and wellbeing slip due to not having any time to maintain it? It is important for your self-worth to ensure you make the time to make yourself look and feel well. Feeling good about yourself will contribute to your work ethic and it will be noticeable by your peers.

10. Your Becoming Forgetful

Image Source/ EndeavourHave you missed that dental appointment recently or put the cereal in the fridge and the milk in the cupboard? Being overworked could mean that your brain is fully focused on work and won't pay attention to the small things. You should take time to let your brain regain its energy by rest so you don't consistently make these mistakes.

11. Feeling Like You'll Never Catch Up

Image Source/ PinksuadeshoeFeeling a constant top up of work to do, no matter the pace you're working at or how efficient and organised you are? This is a major sign of being overworked and is unhealthy. If this is the case, you may want to speak to your boss and discuss if any of the work can be given to any other employees.

12. Having Issues With Disconnecting From Work

Image Source/ EmploysurePeople who are overworked often have problems with being unable to separate themselves from their work life and often mixing it with their home life. This is often due to not wanting to be behind with work. But you must be able to leave work behind for a bit so you can focus on yourself and the other things you have to set your mind too!

13. Messy House 

Image Source/ McjanitorialIf your coming home from work and thinking the house looks like a tip but then realise you don't have time for it then this is a sign to being overworked. You should make the time to keep your house tidy as it may help you to relax when you're at home.

14. No Time to Walk Your Dog

Image Source/ UsatodayComing home from work and realising your dog hasn't been out today and just playing ball with them in the kitchen for 20 mins isn't enough. If your work is totally taking over your day where you are unable to fit in a 40 min walk then you need to consider if you are being overworked.

 15. No Time to Cook a Meal

Image Source/ FirmexLadies, if I ask you how many takeaways you've had this week and its above 2 then this is a major sign of being overworked. Not being able to cook a nutritious meal that will give you all the energy you need for work is very unhealthy and won't help you getting through the week.

16. You've Lost the Passion of Your Job

Image Source/ CbsnewsA key sign to being overworked is if you're realising you're starting loose the love you used to have for your job. If your work isn't exciting you anymore and you aren't enjoying your day to day work life then you may be working too much. Don't allow being overworked ruin your love for the career you have chosen!

17. You Don't Enjoy Any of Your Hobbies

Image Source/ BandtIf you're not enjoying the things you used to do anymore to get you out the house then this is a sign of being overworked. For example, you don't enjoy going to that Zumba class anymore and you feel like it's more of a task than a thing to put a smile on your face.

18. Trouble Sleeping 

Image Source/ RetireathometorontoOverworking can lead to poor sleep, you may think being tired and working a lot would result in you falling straight to sleep; however, it can mean you are unable to sleep well and struggle to get to sleep. This may be due to overthinking instead of relaxing your mind. Don't let work interfere with your sleep patterns.

19. Your Noticing Your Weight Going Up, Down or Fluctuating

Image Source/ Pilates1901For some people, experiencing their weight changing is a sign of overworking. This may be due to eating unhealthily or eating little to nothing due to not having time to properly think about their health and wellbeing due to being so busy. Try to resist ordering takeaways to save time and focus on food prep!

20. Your Mood is Constantly Low

Image Source/ AlmellIf you find yourself thinking negatively about your job and feeling very irritable then you are most likely working too many hours at the office and not enough time to relax your mind on leisure activities. Doing a activity that gets your heart racing is an amazing way to reduce stress and low mood !

21. Your Feeling Poorly More Than Usual

Image Source/ BayutIf you're being overworked then you may find yourself feeling very drained. This is due to your immune system will likely to be weak as it doesn't have any time to recover and relax. Therefore, this can then lead to you constantly having a cold or even catching the flu/covid.

22. You Often Find Yourself Wanting To Be Alone

Image Source/ HealingspringswellnessAnother sign of being overworked is wanting to stay away from other people. Isolating yourself may be because you find the presence of other people quite overwhelming and  you may be already drowning in work to do so you may find being on your own quite soothing.

23. You Feel Like Their Aren't Enough Hours In the Day

Image Source/ LifehackIf you are finding yourself feeling weeks behind in tasks to do, this may mean you have to much on your plate. Girls, being a busy and not bored is a totally different thing to feeling indulged in work and that you don't have time for anything anymore.

24. Putting Off Your Work

Image Source/ MyshiftplannerAre you trying to do anything to persuade yourself its more important than work? This a sign that you aren't wanting to do your job anymore, this may be from being overworked. Feeling like this may mean the job you have right now isn't for you and that you are unhappy with the job you have.

25. You Cant Wait To Go Home 

Image Source/ ParmetechAre you sat at your desk staring at the clock counting the minuets to go home? This is a sign that you aren't enjoying your work and possibly being overworked. If you are enjoying your job, you shouldn't feel the need to be desperate to go home. We spend too much time at work therefore you need to enjoy your job!

26. You Reminisce The Past

Image Source/ MarinemaxIf you're finding yourself thinking about the 'good old times' then you aren't living the moment and that you don't have the time to hit your goals in life. This is a sign of being overworked, not being able to put aside work and have you time is very unhealthy mentally and physically.

27. Your Constantly Late

Image Source/ IstockphotoIf you find yourself running late more often then not, this is a probably a warning sign your working too hard. To ensure you don't loose track of time, try and force yourself to be 5 minuets early to every meeting and event. Also, try to be more organised and set alarms to prepare yourself for the day !

28. Feeling Unappreciated

Image Source/ ForbesAre you feeling like your not getting the credit you deserve from all the work you do? Your  peers may not recognise how you're feeling because you spend all your time working and no time socialising with others. Its always good to help and go over and above but ensure its not just you doing it.

29. Mental Blocks 

Image Source/ CompletewellbeingIf you are feeling a lack of inspiration recently at work, this may be because your brain isn't receiving the energy and relaxation it needs to give its full potential when you're thinking of ideas for projects. Getting a good night sleep will prevent this from happening regularly.

30. Not Delegating

Image Source/ TukkolabsAn obvious sign that you're working too hard is that you find it difficult to delegate tasks. Taking control of every aspect of your job will result in you being overworked. You need to be more trusting with outsourcing tasks. This will free up more time for you to concentrate on other elements of your role.