Let’s Talk Burnout

Ah, burnout—I can guarantee most of us know the feeling, but what does it really mean? According to helpguide.org, burnout is “a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress”. Understanding what burnout looks like can be difficult, as we all have different reactions to stress. Here are some misconceptions about burnout and some tips on recovering from it.

Misconceptions

Burnout is only an issue for caregivers.

When a lot of people hear “burnout”, they likely think of nurses, social workers, and teachers. The reality is, anyone in any type of job or career is susceptible to burnout. Not all burnout is work-related—struggle in your personal life and a lack of personal care can also lead to feelings of burnout. People with perfectionistic and more Type A personalities may also find themselves with more intense levels of burnout, as their expectations of themselves are higher.

Burnout always looks the same.

Because we are all so different, we won’t all react to life’s stressors in the same way. There are, however, some patterns that can be indicative of burnout. An individual may experience any combination of these symptoms, or may have a completely different reaction altogether.

• Exhaustion

• Lack of motivation

• Feeling detached

• Self-isolating

• Increased substance use

• Change in sleeping or eating habits

• Immunosuppression

• Poor emotional regulation

• Procrastination

Burnout and Stress are Synonymous

Stress certainly leads to burnout, but feeling a moment of stress does not mean you are burnt out. Stress often gives us an anxious feeling, a feeling of pressure and a need to over-perform. Burnout is the result of experiencing these feelings for too long—to the point where there is nothing left to give.

Recovering

Take it Seriously

It’s not you being “weak” or failing if you’re struggling with burnout. Just because a coworker or friend seems to be handling something with more ease does not mean there’s something wrong with you. We all manage and experience stress differently.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Some need to lean more into their loved ones, while some will need a significant increase in alone time. Neither of these are inherently right or wrong—it completely depends on the person. The most important thing is to recognize what your need is in order to recharge and recover from burnout.

Give Yourself Grace

Recovering from burnout requires you to be kind to yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you can’t expect to be over your feelings of burnout in a day. Be accepting of yourself when you look in the mirror and when you’re tackling life’s responsibilities.