Recognizing Burnout: Signs and Prevention Tips
Medically Reviewed by Mark Hrymoc, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, double-board certified in General & Addiction Psychiatry Burnout has become a common term in today’s fast-paced society. The pressures of balancing heavy workloads, meeting deadlines, and juggling multiple responsibilities can leave individuals feeling exhausted, disengaged, and mentally drained. While stress is a normal part of life, burnout goes beyond regular stress—it’s a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion, often brought on by prolonged exposure to workplace stressors. Let’s explore what recent research says about the signs of burnout as well as how to prevent and recover from it: What is Burnout? Burnout is a psychological syndrome that typically arises from chronic stress in the workplace. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized burnout as an occupational phenomenon in 2019, describing it as “a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” It’s characterized by three main …