Burnout is a common problem in today’s world. Fast-paced lifestyles, demanding jobs, information overload, ever-changing technology and challenging relationships create the kind of prolonged stress that causes burnout. Many people don’t realize they’re burned out until they get sick.
Most people experience burnout at work, but burnout also happens outside work because of stressful personal relationships, parenting issues and long-term caregiving.
What Is Burnout?
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or repeated stress typically brought on by the demands of a job or lifestyle.
Burnout can have a significant impact on our physical and mental health, as well as our relationships and work performance. It usually starts with feeling stressed, overworked and exhausted, gradually leading to serious physical and mental health problems, including fatigue, depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal issues and addiction.
Difference Between Burnout and Stress
What Causes Burnout?
Burnout is caused by a variety of factors:
- Unmanageable workload
- Lack of control over life or work
- Unfair treatment
- Unreasonable expectations
- Lack of social support
- Conflicting values
- Poor self care
- Perfectionism or rigidness
Any job or life situation can lead to burnout, but people in high-stress jobs–such as firefighters, airline pilots, police officers, social workers and therapists, construction workers, paramedics, lawyers and surgeons–are more likely to get burned out.
Common Signs of Burnout
It’s important to identify burnout early on to prevent it from progressing and causing serious damage. Here are 10 signs that you may be experiencing burnout:*
- Feeling exhausted all the time
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Feeling irritable, angry or impatient
- Having trouble sleeping
- Feeling unmotivated
- Becoming isolated or disconnected from others
- Having a negative, cynical or hopeless mindset
- Experiencing frequent physical illness
- Feeling detached from work or other activities
- Lack of empathy
* Please consult your doctor. These symptoms may indicate other medical conditions.
How to Combat Burnout
- Address the root cause of your burnout.
- Prioritize rest and relaxation.
- Seek social support (but avoid toxic relationships).
- Practice relaxation techniques (meditation, yoga, massage).
- Outsource or share some of your responsibilities.
- Dedicate some time to your hobbies.
- Set boundaries to protect yourself from stressors.
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Seek professional help.
