Understanding Burnout: More than just feeling tired

These days, the word burnout gets tossed around a lot. You’ve probably heard someone say, “Ugh, I’m so burnt out!” after a long day. But real burnout goes far deeper than just feeling tired or fed up - it’s a serious, often overwhelming condition that can affect every part of your life.

When burnout hits, it can leave you feeling completely depleted - physically, emotionally, mentally, and even cognitively. It’s not just a rough patch; it’s a slow and often invisible process that can be incredibly hard to recover from without support.

How is Burnout different from Stress or Depression?

Burnout vs. Stress

Stress is usually short-term and tied to specific situations - a tight deadline, a hectic week at work, or an acute stressor like planning a wedding. Burnout, on the other hand, builds up over time from chronic, ongoing stress. It wears you down slowly, like a constant drip that eventually erodes even the strongest rock. That’s why burnout often feels so hard to bounce back from - it’s not just about one bad day; it’s about months (or years) of emotional strain.

Burnout vs. Depression

While burnout and depression can look similar, they aren’t the same. Burnout is usually tied to a specific domain - most often work - while depression tends to affect every part of life. If you take time off from work and notice a significant improvement in your mood and energy, that may suggest burnout. Depression, by contrast, is a persistent state of low mood and diminished interest or pleasure in activities, and often lingers regardless of environment. Still, it’s important to know that prolonged burnout can sometimes lead to depression if left unaddressed.

What causes Burnout?

Traditionally, burnout has been associated with the workplace - and for good reason. Workplaces are often where people face the chronic emotional and interpersonal stressors that drive burnout. But we now understand that burnout can also show up in other areas, such as parenting or caregiving. While the symptoms are similar, each context has unique challenges, which I will explore separately in other posts.

At its core, burnout is the result of long-term, unresolved stress, and it’s most often seen in people who care deeply about what they do.

The three key components of Burnout

Research shows that burnout typically involves three main dimensions:

1. Exhaustion

This isn’t just being tired after a long day - it’s a deep, ongoing depletion of your emotional and physical energy. Imagine a car running on empty, still pushing forward, but starting to break down from the strain. You might feel like you have nothing left to give, even after rest or time off.

2. Cynicism or Detachment

You may find yourself becoming negative, distant, or emotionally numb toward your work. Tasks that once felt meaningful might now feel pointless. For many, this detachment begins as a protective mechanism - your mind trying to shield you from the constant demands. But left unchecked, it can become a barrier to connection, empathy, and satisfaction.

3. Reduced Sense of Accomplishment

Burnout can make you question your value and effectiveness. You might feel like you're failing, or that nothing you do is good enough - no matter how hard you try. Even small tasks can feel insurmountable. This erosion of self-confidence is one of the most painful aspects of burnout.

Together, these three components - exhaustion, cynicism, and a reduced effectiveness - create a powerful cycle that can deeply impact your ability to function and feel like yourself.

Common Physical and Emotional symptoms of Burnout

Burnout doesn’t just affect your mindset - it can take a real toll on your body and emotions.

Here are some of the more common signs:

Physical signs

• Ongoing exhaustion, even after rest

• Cravings, especially for sugar, caffeine, or comfort foods

• Brain fog or difficulty focusing

• Getting sick more often than usual

• Insomnia or disrupted sleep

• Unexplained weight gain or loss

• Headaches, flu-like symptoms, or chronic neck/shoulder tension

• Digestive issues, such as bloating, nausea, or upset stomach

• Skin flare-ups, like rashes or breakouts

Emotional signs

• Feeling irritable or emotionally reactive

• A noticeable lack of motivation

• Unpredictable or intense mood swings

• Low mood or symptoms of depression

• Crying more often, or feeling emotionally fragile

• Relationship strain or increased conflict

• Panic attacks or rising anxiety

These symptoms are your body and mind waving a red flag. They’re not weaknesses - they’re messages that something needs attention.

Is Burnout preventable?

Yes. With early awareness and support, burnout can be prevented or interrupted. It’s not a personal failure - it’s a signal that something needs to change.

Questions to reflect on

To deepen your awareness, consider these questions about your current habits and internal narratives - especially around work:

• Has it become “normal” to feel constantly stressed or emotionally drained?

• Do you always feel exhausted, even after a proper break?

• Have you lost a sense of meaning or connection to your work?

• Do you feel more irritated by colleagues or let down by your workplace than usual?

• Are you starting to struggle with small tasks or feeling overwhelmed by routine things?

• Are you experiencing a growing sense of doubt about your value or effectiveness?

• Do you feel pressure to push through because of expectations, even when you're exhausted?

• Is it hard to prioritise your own wellbeing or set healthy boundaries?

• Are you noticing that your usual self-care strategies outside of work aren't helping?

These reflections can help you tune in to the early signs of burnout - before things reach a tipping point.

Let's flip the script and put YOU first

The truth is, most people don’t realise they’re experiencing burnout until they’re well into it. And stepping away from everything isn’t always realistic when you have responsibilities. But that doesn’t mean your wellbeing has to come last.

Boundaries, support, and self-awareness are key to recovering from burnout - and counselling can be a safe place to begin that journey.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, emotionally flat, or simply not like yourself, you're not alone - and you don’t have to keep pushing through on your own. Reaching out for support is not a weakness; it’s a powerful act of self-respect. Life is too short to spend it in survival mode. The opposite of burnout is feeling energised, purposeful, and confident - and you deserve a life that helps you thrive, not just get by.

If you're ready, let’s work together to help you feel like yourself again.