Burnout
Stress is a normal part of everyday life, it can include, running late for an appointment, the car breaking down, colleagues calling in sick etc. and can also include longer-term stressors such as a restructure at work, long-term sickness, poor staffing.
Burnout occurs when long-term stress has not been effectively managed and is most commonly linked to workplace stress. Burnout, however can also occur in people caring for family members, parenting, household management and financial strain
Signs and Symptoms of Burnout
Burnout may look and feel a lot like stress, here are some indicators that it might be burnout:
- Persistant exhaustion that does not improve with rest
- Feeling detached, cynical or emotionally flat
- No motivation, even simple tasks may feel heavy or pointless
- Feeling irritable or on edge more often than usual
- Sleep and apetite changes (more or less than your usual baseline)
- Physical symptoms such as frequent headaches, muscle tension or stomach issues
- Feeling ineffective, like you can't do anything 'right'
- A sense of dread about work, caregiving or daily responsibilities
These signs and symptoms can be pervasive in all areas of your life, not just in the original stressful environment or situation
The difference between stress and burnout...
Stress may say, "this is a lot"
Burnout may scream "This has been too much for too long"