Stress and burnout are closely linked but feel different. Stress tends to involve urgency and over-engagement. Burnout is more like depletion: exhaustion, detachment and a sense that nothing you do makes a difference.
Signs of burnout
- Feeling drained most of the time.
- Cynicism or distance from your work.
- Reduced sense of achievement.
- Headaches, poor sleep and getting ill more often.
First steps to recovery
Recovery begins with rest you actually protect, clear boundaries and reconnecting with things that give you energy. Talking to a therapist can help you understand the causes and plan changes that last.
