Making the decision to step away from a job is not always easy or feasible. But when your physical or emotional well-being is suffering and your stress isn't eased by the occasional mental health day, experts say it's generally best to start looking elsewhere.
If your needs at work aren't being met – perhaps you're not receiving adequate feedback, or feel undervalued – then the obvious first step is to voice your concerns. However, if you've voiced your concerns and nothing has been done to rectify them, then moving on could be your best option.
I am therefore resigning to focus on my mental health. Thank you for all your help and the opportunities you have given me during my time with the company, and thank you for understanding my situation. If there is anything I can do to help make this transition easier, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Assuming you manage your departure gracefully, you absolutely shouldn't feel guilty. But guilt is a natural feeling that many people have when leaving an employer, especially if the company's been great to you. And even though you shouldn't feel bad, our brains are great at coming up with reasons that you should.
You're Burnt Out. Is burnout and stress on your list of good reasons to quit a job? If your job has lost its luster and you feel like the long hours, pressure and anxiety aren't worth it anymore; you're not alone. Every day, people quit their jobs due to the emotional exhaustion and chronic stress of demanding roles.
Yes, doing something you hate every day can take a toll on your body, but a dislike of your job is less likely to manifest itself in your body the same way true burnout would. If symptoms like headaches, backaches, panic attacks, or stomach issues are weighing you down, it's likely burnout that you're dealing with.
Talking to your boss about burnout can benefit your well-being. It is a way to open the door to constructive conversations that can help get you back on track and feel better about work. With support, this may improve your job gratification and overall performance.
If you find yourself asking “should I quit my job because of anxiety?” then it might be time to reevaluate your work situation. No one wants to admit this, but here's the truth – if your job causes you severe anxiety, it's important to prioritize your mental health over work.
“I recently learned about this term called quiet quitting, where you're not outright quitting your job but you're quitting the idea of going above and beyond,” Khan says. “You're still performing your duties, but you're no longer subscribing to the hustle-culture mentality that work has to be your life.
If you find yourself in a situation in which it is emotionally, physically, or mentally draining (or worse) for you even to show up to work, let alone get excited and perform at a high level—you need to leave.
Talk to your manager about the number of hours that you can manage without feeling overextended. Think before agreeing. Before you take on new responsibilities, consider your current workload. Determine what time and energy requirements the new assignment will take, and decide if you can commit to them.
So a fear of quitting could be related to a fear of "wasting" sunk costs. It can also be chalked up to a simple fear of change, which many people feel to one degree or another. “Regardless of how we interpret it, it's a natural human tendency to want to keep doing what we're doing,” Dr. Hendriksen says.
A great way to reduce stress and anxiety at work is to keep a strict agenda or create a daily to-do list for yourself to make sure you're focused and can stay on track. Set achievable goals: This ties in with keeping yourself organized. Avoid spreading yourself too thin at work to prevent anxiety and stress.
Quiet quitting then, is often used to cope with burnout. It has been defined in a couple of different ways — some describe it as not actively going above and beyond at work, while others see it as doing only the bare minimum to remain employed.
Twenty-one percent of workers are 'quiet quitting,' choosing to put in only the bare minimum and just doing what they are paid to do. Additionally, 5% say they actually do less than what's required of them.
Therefore, I am resigning to focus on my mental health. I appreciate all of the opportunities you have given me during my time with the company, and I thank you for understanding my situation. If there is anything I can do to help make this transition easier, please don't hesitate to reach out.
You should seek the help of medical professionals such as a psychotherapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist if you experience prolonged periods of a low mood, aversion or disinterest in activities or work, disruptions to your sleep, or thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Some of the many causes of work-related stress include long hours, heavy workload, job insecurity and conflicts with co-workers or bosses. Symptoms include a drop in work performance, depression, anxiety and sleeping difficulties.
Depending on their emotional state at the time of your conversation, your manager may become immediately upset, or even furious that you are resigning. They may feel a sense of betrayal, as well as anxiety about how they will manage the workload without you.
According to a 2010 ruling by the National Labor Relations Board, employers can't stop co-workers from communicating together online about work-related issues. If they're airing grievances openly via social networks though, they can be fired for their online behavior.