Signs that you may be experiencing introvert burnout include physical exhaustion, irritability, anxiety, and loss of expressiveness; however, you could experience a range of other symptoms to varying degrees.
Social exhaustion can also be called introvert burnout or introvert hangover. Although it's not a medical diagnosis, it is a valid experience that introverts and extroverts can face. It can be an emotional and physical response to social overstimulation that leaves you feeling drained and exhausted.
However, those who are introverted tend to be easily overstimulated, especially when required or expected to interact with others. Introvert burnout, in this context, is a state of all-consuming exhaustion in most that can arises from experiencing social situations without enough time alone to recharge and recuperate.
Social fatigue leaves you feeling overstimulated, stressed, tired, anxious, and under pressure in social settings. You may be concerned about what to say, how to say it, and what others are thinking. Social fatigue can be compared with burnout, an aspect of which is increased emotional or mental exhaustion.
The effects of an introvert hangover, also known as social burnout, can last from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks. 'It's like jet lag,' continues Johnson. 'You don't get over that after one goodnight's sleep, and I've known introverts to take weeks to recover from a big social event.
An introvert hangover includes social fatigue, mental and physical exhaustion, and burnout felt by introverts after they have spent too much time socializing with others. This feeling occurs because introverts are drained by interactions with others and need time alone to recharge.
Introverts tend to draw energy from going inwards and being on our own whereas as extroverts tend to draw energy from things that are external to their mind. That is why overly stimulating environments can be energy draining for introverts, leaving us feeling tired, lacking in energy and even stressed.
Introverts rely on alone time to recharge their social batteries, self-reflect, and process the experiences they have with others. Without proper amounts of alone time, introverts can begin to experience irritability, fatigue, poor sleep, and trouble concentrating.
Burnout involves three distinct symptoms: energy depletion and exhaustion, depersonalization and cynicism, and reduced efficacy.
One of the best ways to relax your mind is to distract it with pleasant and creative activities that bring you satisfaction rather than stress. Activities that keep your hands busy are ideal, which is why craftwork and artwork are highly recommended for Introverts who need time to recharge.
Introverts need less stimuli to feel awake and alert. That's why introverts get overwhelmed way more easily. 3. The flip side is that introverts need less dopamine to feel happy and content than extroverts do.
Angry Introverts are in a sensitive state, and they can easily become overstimulated by too much social contact. Interestingly, Introverts won't usually respond to their anger by leaving altogether.
Perhaps the toughest part of being an introvert is not so much talking about yourself, but rather wishing you were better at talking about yourself.
Introverts may feel like outsiders because it's the initial phase of forming a relationship (becoming an insider) that is the most tiring. Finding common ground with others, especially multiple others, can take a lot of probing small talk, which is exhausting and often anxiety-inducing for introverts.
Introverts need time alone to process. Pulling away for a bit means introverts can really sit with their feelings and figure out how to proceed. If an introvert uses alone time as an excuse, then cuts off all communication with you, that's an immature move — and you deserve better.
Phase 5: Habitual burnout
This most severe phase of burnout occurs when one's harmful physical and emotional symptoms become embedded and impact their quality of life. This shows up in forms of chronic sadness or depression, mental exhaustion, low self-efficacy and, in the worse cases, as suicidal ideation.
Burnout tends to come with a feeling of complete exhaustion that doesn't dissipate with normal recovery tactics like time off, a work-free weekend or a vacation. Signs of burnout include: Excessive use of substances, including alcohol, drugs and prescription drugs. Physical and mental overwhelm and fatigue.
Introverts are looked down upon for lack of good 'communication skills'. Right from an early age, introverts have to compete very hard with peers, who seem to have no problem in public or interpersonal speaking. What seems to be effortless for peers is actually the most difficult task for an introverted child.
Being alone gives us time to think and do tasks without needing to worry about others' needs. Introverts love to spend time alone to recharge and think. They are authentic and know what they want most of the time. They are not without friends; they just like to have more time alone than other people do.
While most survey respondents, regardless of personality traits, say they prefer to cry when they're alone, Introverts are more likely than Extraverts to say so. Introverts are more comfortable crying alone or with a small group of friends, while Extraverts may be more at home with public crying.
Extreme introverts are far quieter than typical introverts. People often mistake the trait for shyness. Their quiet demeanor is usually motivated by the need to carefully take in and process what others are saying and doing around them.
Overstimulation is very common, and often happens when an introvert is the center of attention. Whether this is giving a presentation, at their own birthday party, or in a meeting, they may come across as tired rather than what they're actually feeling. Some signs of overstimulation are: Shrinking back.
Introverts prefer spending time with people we know well in person, either one-on-one or in smaller group settings, so we can make deep connections and have meaningful conversations. That energizes us.