What is burnout?

There are lots of factors that might contribute to occupational burnout. For example, high-stress jobs and jobs that make it difficult to balance work and personal life may be more likely to cause burnout. That said, it can happen to anyone in any profession. And it can happen quickly or over time. A handful of workplace scenarios can slowly add up to cause full-blown burnout — too many deadlines, team conflict, lack of support — you name it. Each person has different triggers for burnout, including:³

• Not being able to control your work schedule, workload or resources
• Feeling uncertain about your role and responsibilities at work
• A lack of empowerment or self-autonomy in your role
• Doing work that’s monotonous or unchallenging

It’s important to keep in mind that burnout isn’t a medical condition, but rather a state of physical or emotional exhaustion. That said, the effects of burnout can carry over into other parts of life outside working hours. Signs of burnout show up differently for everyone. There’s a handful of common consequences. If it’s not properly addressed, you might start experiencing:³

• Exhaustion
• Inability to sleep or stay asleep
• Feelings of helpless, trapped or defeated
• Alcohol or substance use
• Weakened immune system

For many of us, our jobs are an important part of our lives — but it's important to make sure our work life doesn't pose a risk to our overall health. While it’s often easier said than done, it’s crucial to combat job burnout as soon as it's recognized, and before its effects get in the way of your life, health and happiness. Here are some tips that may help you handle burnout:

• Get support: Talk to family, friends and co-workers. If your company has an employee assistance program, reach out to get personalized support.
• Boost your mood  Make sure you’re exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, eating healthy and staying connected socially.

Living in a state of constant stress and exhaustion is unsustainable. And it can have negative long-term effects on your overall well-being. Directly addressing burnout may help resolve the symptoms and improve your overall well-being.

If you're concerned that you may have burnout or concerned about its effects, consider talking with a health care professional. Your primary care provider (PCP) or a mental health specialist can help. They’ll be able to offer a more personalized approach and find possible mental health resources to help address your specific burnout factors and symptoms.