Burnout often begins quietly. It is not always dramatic or obvious. Maybe you start hitting snooze more often, dreading the day ahead. You might feel mentally foggy, like your thoughts aren’t connecting as clearly as they used to. You might begin to question your competence or pull back from things you once cared about. These early signs can be easy to dismiss as “just being tired” or “in a rough patch”. If left unaddressed however, burnout can grow into something that affects every part of your life.
At its core, burnout is a response to prolonged stressed, particularly when it feels like the demands placed on you consistently outweigh the resources you have to cope. It doesn’t just affect your energy–it can also shift your mood, alter your sleep patterns, and even lead to physical symptoms like frequent headaches or stomach discomfort. Emotionally, it may look like feeling disconnected, numb, irritable, or hopeless.
It is important to note that burnout can happen in any setting–not just the workplace. Caregivers, parents, students, and even people managing their own health conditions can experience burnout. Recognizing it early allows you to step in with intention to make adjustments, seek support, and begin to prioritize recovery.