Burnout: when you feel completely drained

What is burnout?

Burnout is a state in which long-term stress has drained your physical and mental energy. The World Health Organization classifies burnout as an "occupational phenomenon" rather than a disease, but similar exhaustion can also come from other long-lasting burdens such as parenting, caregiving, or studying.

Main symptoms

• Fatigue that rest does not fix
• Cynicism and distance toward work or the people around you
• Lower effectiveness at work and a loss of accomplishment
• Physical symptoms such as headaches, indigestion, or frequent colds
• More irritability and sensitivity to small things

How is it different from depression?

Burnout is usually tied to a specific burden (such as work) and tends to improve when you step away and rest. Depression, by contrast, drains interest and pleasure from life as a whole and does not improve with rest.

However, prolonged burnout can develop into depression. If a vacation does not lift your mood, or you have no motivation for anything, try the depression self-check too.

What you can do to recover

1. 1Acknowledge that you are exhausted. Thinking "I just need to hold on a little longer" delays recovery.
2. 2List what drains your energy and find what you can reduce or share.
3. 3Draw a line between work and rest. Even setting a time limit for checking work messages after hours is a start.
4. 4Restore the basics first: sleep, meals, and light exercise.
5. 5Talk with someone you trust — a manager or family member — about sharing the load.

If you are employed, check whether your workplace offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free, confidential counseling.