By Abby McCoy
Expert Verified By: Kristen Casey, PsyD
Everyone feels stressed now and then, but when stress goes on too long, it can sometimes turn into burnout. (5) Burnout can make you feel worn out, defeated, irritable, and can even affect your appetite and how well you sleep. (1) (2) (6) Luckily, it is possible to recover from burnout and get better rest. Read on to learn all about burnout, how it affects sleep, and how you can break the burnout cycle.
What is Burnout?
Burnout includes physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by ongoing stress. (5) The term “burnout” frequently describes overwork and overwhelm in work settings, but anyone with chronic stress can experience the phenomenon. For example, people caring for chronically ill family members or children at home can also face burnout. (5)
Below, we’ll explain burnout symptoms, compare burnout to stress, and talk about what burnout and sleep do to one another.
Burnout Symptoms
Symptoms of burnout often start out slow and subtle, and can vary depending on the cause. (1) (6) These symptoms can come on gradually and may include: (7)
- Feeling physically or emotionally exhausted
- Headaches
- Problems sleeping
- Becoming cynical
- Isolation from friends and family
- Muscle tension
- Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea
- Feeling helpless or defeated
You may experience slightly different symptoms from someone else with burnout, but all symptoms center on the three pillars of emotional, physical, and cognitive exhaustion. (1) “The signs can severely affect personal and professional life, making early recognition vital for recovery,” says Joel Frank, PsyD, clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist at Duality Psychological Services. Burnout happens when feeling tired transforms into extreme exhaustion.
Stress vs. Burnout
The key difference between stress and burnout lies in timing: periods of stress are normal, but when stress becomes long-term (chronic), you can wear down. (8)
When you get stressed, your brain activates the “fight or flight” response, raising your heart rate, tensing your muscles, and sharpening your senses. (8) “Stress is a reaction to specific challenges and can motivate individuals — it’s characterized by temporary anxiety and physical symptoms,” says Frank.
“In contrast, burnout is a chronic state of exhaustion resulting from prolonged stress, leading to feelings of detachment and decreased performance,” he tells Sleepopolis. (8)
Read the entire article on Sleepopolis.com.
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