What Is Burnout? Signs, Symptoms and How to Recover

Feeling exhausted after a busy week is normal. Burnout is different. Burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, often leaving people feeling overwhelmed, detached and unable to function as they once did.

Burnout can affect anyone, including parents, healthcare workers, students and professionals. Common signs include ongoing fatigue, feeling cynical or emotionally numb, reduced motivation, difficulty concentrating, increased irritability and a sense that even small tasks feel overwhelming.

Unlike ordinary tiredness, burnout doesn't disappear after a good night's sleep. It develops gradually and often follows months of chronic stress without adequate recovery.

Recovery involves more than taking a holiday. It often requires setting healthier boundaries, addressing the sources of ongoing stress, reconnecting with meaningful activities and learning sustainable coping strategies. Working with a psychologist can help you recognise burnout early and develop practical tools to prevent it from recurring.

If you've been feeling emotionally exhausted for weeks or months, burnout may be your mind and body's way of telling you something needs to change.