Burnout

“Burnout” typically refers to feeling exhausted from working hard. But, burnout is about more than being worn down from work. This guide will teach you about how to identify the signs of burnout and how to tackle it.
Man looking at his phone on the subway

What is burnout?

Burnout is a state when you’re feeling overworked, overwhelmed or unappreciated past the point of exhaustion. It’s typically associated with three categories of symptoms: 

  1. Emotional exhaustion: which can often look like physical exhaustion
  2. Depersonalization or cynicism: when you start to feel disconnected and negative in the workplace with others and the tasks at hand
  3. Decreased sense of personal accomplishment

What's causing me to feel burnout?

Burnout is usually the impact of the workplace on our mindset. It can feel like a “you” problem, but it is really an issue of “you” in the system of your work and how you react to it. 

Particularly at the height of COVID-19, when many people began working from home—or not working at all—it became increasingly difficult to set healthy boundaries between personal life and professional life. When we feel out of control, or like our work has lost meaning and purpose, we are much more likely to be burnt out. We will then become cynical, less connected, emotionally exhausted and less productive. 

How should I deal with burnout?

Feeling burnout can seem like you’re trying to run in quicksand. The more you fight and struggle to move, the more it just feels like you’re sinking. 

But the first step—and arguably the most important step—is recognizing you’re burnt out and having the desire to make a change. That change may include finding ways for more control, talking to supportive peers or supervisors, and looking for ways to promote meaning and gratitude in the workplace. 

Some people might even need time off from work to recover. If you feel better after time off, that can even tell you something about your mental state in the first place. Finding your way here (to this page) and taking time to learn more about what you’re experiencing is a great start. 

Things To Try

If you think you’re experiencing burnout, here are a few little things you can do to reduce that feeling now and in the future.
Take a nap
  • Take breaks from news stories and social media

  • Don’t forget your basic needs

  • Reward your achievements

More Things To Try

What can I do now?

It may feel like taking on burnout could be a long journey, but there are resources that can help you make small changes now to reduce burnout’s impact on your mental state and start to find relief.

Citations

Deloitte. Burnout Survey