Burnout
Alright fellas,
I've been feeling burned out at work for a while now. I work night shift, haven't been sleeping well during the day, and have generally been in a rotten mood the whole time because of it. It all kind of came to a boiling point today when my wife and I got into an argument, and she flat out told me that she was tired of me and my attitude towards work and home.
I know I've got to do something, but what do I do? I'm kind of at a dead end here - I don't know where to go.
I've been feeling burned out at work for a while now. I work night shift, haven't been sleeping well during the day, and have generally been in a rotten mood the whole time because of it. It all kind of came to a boiling point today when my wife and I got into an argument, and she flat out told me that she was tired of me and my attitude towards work and home.
I know I've got to do something, but what do I do? I'm kind of at a dead end here - I don't know where to go.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joseph L. Rogers on -
From your pic, you're a CSR of some type. What exactly is it you do, what does she do, and do you guys have children?
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Permalink Reply by B. J. Flavin on -
Kind of. I'm a 911 dispatcher, she's the secretary for the sheriff's office, and no kids yet.
The stress level of my job doesn't help matters much, I know.
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Permalink Reply by Joseph L. Rogers on
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What's yours and her educational background, and such? Got aspirations to any particular level of greatness?
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Permalink Reply by B. J. Flavin on
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I'm a few hours away from an assiciates in fire science, she has a teaching degree. I've thought about finishing my degree out. Also have thought about going to paramedic school, and have gone as far as trying to get on a police department.
The biggest barrier to the schooling is not being able to pay for it right now. We bought a house and a car, and paramedic training is pretty much a full-time job.
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Permalink Reply by asa c mcguire on -
Night shift does get better. I have been doing the 12 hr night shift thing for about 13 years now and it is tough. One of the biggest things to remember is to sleep when you need to. Don't try to keep up with day shift people and if you have a sleepy day oh well roll with it. Good luck and hang in there it does get better
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Permalink Reply by Michael J. Austin on -
I feel your pain Brody as I do 3 - 13hr shifts and end up filling in for people a lot (15 OT and 10 DT hours last two weeks), the last 22 months has really taken it toll on me physically and mentally. I, like others posting in this thread, try to sleep when my body tells me to but that is not always possible when the rest of the household still needs to function. I'm applying for other positions with in the company to get to a more normal shift. I for the most part have always been a happy go luck person, but have noticed a change in myself as my wife bringing it to my attention. I think some people are just cut of for that shift ... I am one that is not. Good Luck to you and I hope things change for you.
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Permalink Reply by James! on -
Isn't supplementing with melatonin suppossed to help night shifters? Maybe you could try that.
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Permalink Reply by Preston on -
Good suggestion. ZMA (Zinc and Magnesium) might also help. I would try ZMA first then if that doesn't do it try the Melatonin. Also beware of the half-life of caffeine. It takes about six hours to completely leave your system.
That should help with being tired, but the unmotivated part...set a goal, start working toward it, and see how your current job is a means to that end. Also, realize that you are providing a critical service and you have probably been involved in situations where people health or life were saved because you did a good job dispatching the call. You should feel good about that.
Another thought is to sit down with your wife and set goals together so that you are both on the same page and working toward the same thing.
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Permalink Reply by Gregory Throne on -
Dude, say a prayer of thanks that you don't have rotating shifts on top of the long hours. I worked a job where we averaged 10-11 hours per shift and rotated every two weeks.
One observation, I bet you don't get any weekend nights off, do you? It adds stress when one person is on 4pm to whenever, with single or split days off and the other person is M-F 8am to 5pm.
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Permalink Reply by Michael J. Austin on
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Rotating shifts here as well ... front end back end of the week I usually have been working weekends as well and so very true it does add to my stress. We rotate monthly, but my body never gets use to any of the funky shifts.
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Permalink Reply by Nathan Mark Devore on
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Holiday, seriously, you don't have to go to Greece just take a day if you can at all find one free and take a day trip to see something you want to see or go a place you enjoy. Its amazing the difference a day off can make. The other posters have discussed my other tip about setting goals.
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