Introduction
Burnout isn’t just feeling tired. It’s an emotional, physical, and mental crash caused by prolonged stress — often mistaken for laziness, weakness, or “just a busy week.” But burnout is deeper. It can rob you of motivation, disconnect you from your work, and leave you emotionally numb. Recognising it early can prevent a full collapse.
What Is Burnout?
Burnout is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, overwork, and a lack of support or recovery time. It’s officially recognised by the World Health Organization and most commonly linked to workplace environments.
Early Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
- You wake up already dreading the day
- Your work feels meaningless or overwhelming
- You feel emotionally numb or irritable
- Headaches, stomach issues, and sleep problems persist
- You’ve stopped caring — even about things you love
The 3 Dimensions of Burnout (Maslach Model)
- Emotional Exhaustion — You feel drained and depleted
- Depersonalisation — You disconnect from your work or others
- Reduced Personal Accomplishment — You feel ineffective and unmotivated
Understanding these helps you catch burnout before it breaks you.
Burnout vs. Normal Stress
Burnout is chronic and cumulative. Stress is temporary. If weekends, naps, or holidays don’t restore your energy, you might be in burnout territory.
Conclusion
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight — and it doesn’t heal overnight either.
