Recognising burnout before you reach breaking point

Let’s face it: the world throws a lot at us. Work deadlines, financial strain, family commitments, social pressure – it’s no wonder we all feel tired and stressed sometimes. But what happens when that feeling never goes away? What happens when the tiredness turns into exhaustion and stress becomes overwhelming?

The difference between tiredness, stress, and burnout

According to Winston Schoeman, a clinical psychologist at Evexia Psychiatric Day Hospital, burnout is a growing concern in our modern lifestyles, and can have a significant impact on a person’s overall well-being. “While everyone occasionally experiences tiredness and stress, it’s important to understand how these feelings differ from burnout, and recognise the signs before they become a serious problem,” says Winston.

Tiredness: Common everyday experience

Fatigue or tiredness is simply a lack of physical or mental energy, often caused by a lack of sleep or exertion. It is usually temporary and easily addressed with rest and relaxation. Tiredness usually disappears after a good night’s sleep or a peaceful weekend.

Stress: Normal response to high demands

Although stress can motivate us to perform better and help us adapt and overcome obstacles, it can have a significant impact on our overall health, says Winston.

“Stress is typically triggered by short-term, external factors like heavy workloads, too many pressing social obligations or high expectations. While unpleasant, stress is generally manageable with healthy coping mechanisms like breaks, relaxation techniques, or addressing the stressful situation directly. However, chronic or intense stress can lead to anxiety, irritability, or fatigue.”

Burnout: Big bad wolf of exhaustion

Burnout, however, is a state of physical, emotional, and mental depletion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. “Unlike stress, which is temporary, burnout is a chronic condition that results from feeling overwhelmed, drained, and unable to meet constant work demands. It leads to reduced productivity, impaired quality of work, and a loss of interest or passion in many areas of your life.

“Burnout is often linked to factors such as a lack of control, recognition, or support, and requires significant changes to your lifestyle, attitude, or work environment to overcome. Left unchecked, burnout can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health,” says Winston.

Watch out for warning signs

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight, and it manifests in several ways. Winston points to a few important warning signs to watch out for.

Physical	Mental	Emotional	Behavioural
Fatigue Insomnia Aches Neglected health and nutrition	Forgetfulness Poor decision-making Boredom Lack of creativity and motivation	Depression Anxiety Anger Guilt Feelings of worthlessness Loss of purpose	Isolation Avoiding social events Neglecting responsibilities Increased cynicism Unhealthy coping mechanisms

Recognise the signs? Recharge your batteries!

If you’re feeling the burn, don’t despair. There’s hope! Check out our handy tips here to recharge and reclaim your well-being.

If left untreated, burnout can have serious consequences for your health and mental wellness. Recognising the signs of burnout and understanding the difference between tiredness, stress, and burnout is crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive life. By addressing these issues early and implementing strategies to manage stress and prevent burnout, we can maintain our well-being and continue to thrive!