Every person who has a job at some point has experienced stress and felt overworked. There are specific signs that will help you identify if you are overworked and need to take a break to maintain efficiency in the office. Here are five signs that should indicate how stressful you are and what you need to do about it.

1. You are always irritable

Before your energy levels crash and you get confused about work, you may feel irritable all the time. You may find yourself being in a negative mood, initiating arguments with people inside and outside the office. If you notice the bad behavior, practice being quiet instead of saying something that you might regret later.

2. You do not feel like working

Even after a full sleep at night, you might find yourself still tired and not wanting to go to the office. You might even have difficulty sleeping at night which can lead to tiredness in the morning. It is best to take a few days off from work to de-stress and recharge.

3. You start feeling unhealthy

You may be overworked if you suddenly start a vice like smoking or drinking alcohol. You may begin eating unhealthy and only prefer salty, fatty and junk foods. To fix the problem, find a healthy stress-relieving activity such as getting a gym membership, walking around the block for several minutes each day or treating yourself to a delicious healthy meal, based on a report by American Psychological Association. This will keep your mind and body ready to take on the challenges at work.

4. You want to quit your job

You might misinterpret your stressful situation with wanting to quit your job. Some people realize that they are only overworked but do not actually dislike their job. Find a counselor and vent out your frustrations. Take a few days off and go on a vacation to unwind.

5. You miss deadlines

If your productivity and efficiency at the office have decreased significantly, these can mean that you are overworked and need to unload. Divide your tasks into smaller objectives to make these less stressful and easier to achieve. Create a calendar so you meet deadlines and prioritize tasks accordingly.

Be aware of the signs of being overworked before it becomes a chronic problem with larger consequences.

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