Burnout

Meg Fink

Burnout is a persistent state of elevated stress that causes individuals to lose motivation, interest, and energy. Burnout can appear in many different areas of life, such as relationships, work, athletics, or school. Key signs of burnout include exhaustion, stress, depression, and procrastination. While stress and burnout are related, they involve slightly different characteristics and experiences. Stress is often an adaptive response to demanding situations and, while uncomfortable, can be useful in maintaining motivation to complete tasks. Burnout, however, is a deeper, more chronic condition where stress remains unresolved. Burnout tends to leave individuals feeling depleted and unable to meet daily life demands. 

Burnout is especially common in Western society due to the emphasis placed on work and achievements. Overwhelming work responsibilities, poor work-life balance, lack of control, limited support, and workplace conflicts are common in this culture and tend to lead to burnout. While burnout is often discussed in relation to employment, it is not limited to the workplace. Students often experience burnout due to high-pressure performance environments. Caregivers are also at risk due to the pressures of simultaneously caring for and navigating an interpersonal relationship with a loved one.

Burnout can affect individuals in many ways, including physical, emotional, and behavioral well being. Physical symptoms of burnout can include chronic fatigue, consistent muscle pain, headaches, and changes in appetite. Each day may feel exhausting and individuals may wake up in the morning not feeling rested. Emotional signs of burnout include loss of motivation, detachment, loneliness, and negative life outlooks. Burnout can cause individuals to feel hopeless and trapped, sometimes leading to a belief that they are a failure without recognizing that they are feeling overworked. Behavioral signs of burnout include withdrawal from activities, isolation, procrastination, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Oftentimes, those with burnout turn to substance use or overeating as an outlet for their stress. However, these behaviors provide only temporary relief and may cause harm in the long term. 

Addressing burnout requires both immediate coping mechanisms and long-term strategies. Immediate coping mechanisms may include incorporating motivators into one’s daily routines and setting realistic daily goals. Breaking down the day into easily manageable bits can be effective in counteracting the feeling of overwhelm. Long-term strategies include discussing concerns with colleagues, supervisors, or a partner to set boundaries and create a plan of action. Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy can help identify triggers for burnout and develop healthy strategies for combating overwhelm.