Burnout in the workplace: How to recognize and manage it

(KXAN) — Emotional exhaustion, a lack of compassion and a feeling of futility — these are all warning signs of burnout.

"The definition of burnout is essentially this: when the resources outside of work are not greater than those that get sucked from your soul at work," psychologist Dr. Jodie Carrington said.

A recent study found that one in five people think about quitting their job every day, and one in four have experienced depression related to their job.

The Mayo Clinic cites heavy workloads and a poor work-life balance as risk factors for job burnout. It can lead to irritability and difficulty sleeping, which feeds back into the cycle of exhaustion.

"If you've ever seen a toddler miss a nap, they get jerkish," Carrington said. "So do the rest of us."

There's no quick and easy fix for burnout, but there are things you can do in the moment to relieve some of the tension that comes with it.

"Drop your shoulders, drop your tongue from the roof of your mouth," Carrington said. "The most primitive response to stress is we slam our tongue to the roof of our mouth and prep for whatever's coming our way."

For more long-term solutions, the Mayo Clinic recommends finding ways to better balance your workload, seeking support from friends or co-workers and getting more exercise and sleep.

"It's indicative, even in the name, that there was once a flame," Carrington said. "Our job isn't to actually get better, develop new skills necessarily—it's to get back to the best parts of us."