Are You Stressed or Burnt Out? Here’s How to Tell

Burnout has become a modern-day epidemic, alarmingly common in workplaces that demand more from people than ever before. The fast-paced, complex nature of work, combined with technology that blurs the lines between home and work life, makes it harder to switch off. The pandemic has only intensified these issues, leading to unprecedented levels of burnout, especially among professional women.

Understanding burnout, its causes, how to spot it, and how to prevent it is crucial. If you're already experiencing burnout, having the right tools to recover and reverse its effects is essential for not just living a normal life but thriving. It’s also vital to differentiate between stress and burnout, as they require different responses.

What is Burnout?

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. Coined in 1975 by Herbert Freudenberger, burnout has three key components:

• Emotional Exhaustion: The fatigue from caring too much for too long.
• Depersonalization: The depletion of empathy, caring, and compassion.
• Decreased Sense of Accomplishment: Feeling that nothing you do makes a difference.

Emily and Amelia Nagoski, in their book *Burnout: The Secret to Solving the Stress Cycle*, found that burnout manifests differently for men and women. Men tend to experience more depersonalization, while women often feel more emotionally exhausted.

Burnout reduces productivity and saps your energy, leaving you feeling helpless, hopeless, cynical, and resentful. When you’re burnt out, you likely feel that you have nothing more to give.
It’s important to note that burnout is not a medical condition, diagnosis, or mental illness. While it may overlap with depression, anxiety, grief, and rage, burnout is specifically the result of significant stress.

Stress vs. Burnout: Understanding the Difference

Stress and burnout are related but distinct. Understanding the difference is crucial, as different strategies are needed to address each.

Stress:

• Pressure: You feel pressured to get things done urgently.
• Symptoms: Nervousness, anxiety, hyperactivity, and energy depletion.
• Outlook: You believe that if you get things under control, you'll feel better.

Burnout:

• Lack of Urgency: You no longer feel an urgent need to act quickly.
• Symptoms: Emptiness, mental exhaustion, lack of motivation, and hopelessness.
• Outlook: You feel that no matter what you do, it will never be enough.
  
  

Here’s a useful table from HelpGuide to distinguish the difference:

Making Sense of Where You’re At

If You Identify with Stress:

• Prevention: Recognize the signs of burnout and make positive changes.
• Stress Management: Learn to manage your stress and complete the stress cycle to prevent burnout. More on this will be covered soon.

If You Identify with Burnout:

• Recovery Tools: Acquire the right tools to recover from burnout and reverse its effects.
• Long-Term Strategies: Develop long-term strategies to ensure sustained well-being.

Next Steps

Understanding where you fall on the spectrum of stress to burnout is crucial. Over the coming weeks, and in our upcoming Burnout Guide, you’ll find helpful tips and tools to get you back on track, no matter your starting point.

Immediate Actions:

1. Reflect: Consider if you're experiencing stress or burnout.
2. Identify: Recognize the symptoms and categorize your experience.
3. Act: Implement strategies to manage stress or recover from burnout.

By taking these steps, you can better navigate the challenges of modern work life and ensure that you not only survive but thrive.

I’m here for you,
Nina