The Nighttime Habit A Psychologist Calls A 'Subtle' Burnout Sign

Burnout is described by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as an “occupational phenomenon”, which can lead you to feel exhausted, cynical, and less effective at work. 

It’s believed to affect as many as 65% of workers in the UK, the Mental Health Foundation shared. 

But according to psychologist Dr Bijal Chheda of Nos Curare, some signs of the common condition are easily dismissed as “normal”. 

Here, she told HuffPost about one such symptom, which appears at night. 

Nighttime overthinking might be a sign of burnout 

“Struggling to switch off at night can be a subtle sign of burnout,” Dr Chheda told us.

“You might notice your mind starts replaying the day or jumping ahead to everything you need to do tomorrow, which are signs of insomnia.” 

Indeed, researchers think that insomnia involves its own, specific kind of rumination, which often involves worrying about how you’ll feel the next day.

A 2017 paper found that among finance workers, job strain was only a burnout risk factor if it came along with insomnia. Another study suggested that burnout and insomnia “predict each other’s development and intensification over time”.

Dr Chheda said that the two might form a vicious cycle.

“When stress builds, it becomes harder for your brain to fully switch off. Over time, this can lead to a poor sleep cycle that leaves you feeling mentally drained and stuck in patterns that are hard to break,” she shared. 

What should I do if I experience this?

“Start your wind-down routine half an hour before bedtime, and be proactive in setting up a calming environment,” Dr Chheda said. 

“Switch off harsh overhead lights to lower stimulation and stick to warmer lighting so your brain starts to wind down. Instead of doomscrolling, keep to gentle stretches, listening to music or reading, to send a clear signal to your brain that it’s time to switch off.”  

If your sleep issues continue, she added, speak to a medical professional.