Burnout is beyond feeling tired or being stress about work demands. It is prolonged stress that can be categorized into three main dimensions: overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of cynicism and lack of accomplishment, and detachment by having a sense of ineffectiveness[1]. In another words, burnout negatively affects your work and your life, that you start to feel unappreciated and drained from work.

[1]  Maslach, C., & Leiter, P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implication for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 103-111.  

Burnout an: “Occupational Phenomenon”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burn-out is a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed[1].  It is not classified as a medical condition, but it doesn't mean that it shouldn't be taken seriously, because it is a factor that can influence your health status- emotionally, mentally, and physically.

You might confuse stress with burnout, but there are distinct differences.  Stress is usually short term, which can be overcome within a few days. For instance, working on a project with a tight deadline can make you feel stressed, nonetheless, stress lessens or disappears once you submitted your tasks. Burnout on the other hand, relatively last for a long period of time.  When you’re burned out, you feel empty, unproductive, lack of motivation, and unconnected from your work [2], which eventually lead to negative outlook in life

How to Recover from Burnout

If you are suffering from burnout, the first thing to do is to acknowledge your feelings and take time to understand what you need to do in getting yourself back to normal-with passion and motivation. To recover from burnout, ensure to keep healthy pace by taking a break to clear you head. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising, meditating, and taking a good care of yourself. Since burnout is a result of prolonged stress, learn how to manage your stress by practicing deep breathing and identifying relaxation strategies that can help you calm down. More importantly, take some time off to reduce stress and prevent burnout.

If you are experiencing burnout and having difficulty in finding your way out, or you suspect that you may also have a mental health condition, seek for professional treatment.

[1] World Health Organization. (2019). Burn-out an "occupational phenomenon": International Classification of Diseases. Retrieved from World Health Organization News: https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases   [2]WebMD. (2020). Metal Health. Retrieved from What to Know About Work Burnout: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-to-know-about-work-burnout