Not-New-But-Growing Phenomenon of Burnout

Have you ever had that feeling that you’re just done? You know, you’ve taken on too much and just can’t take it anymore? If so, chances are you are one of many experiencing the not-new-but-growing phenomenon of burnout. 

It’s true. You can experience burnout in so many places. It might be taking your kids back and forth to countless activities. It could be all the social engagements that you just can’t seem to say no to. Burnout can even be tied to hobbies, travel, relationships, and so on. And that’s the reality today. 

What is Burnout?

So, what exactly is burnout? Is it just feeling tired after a long week? Is it stress? Or is it something more? While everyone feels overwhelmed from time to time, burnout goes beyond everyday stress. Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by ongoing or repeated stress. And it tends to rear its ugly head when you’re feeling emotionally drained for a long period of time, especially when you don’t get the time to rest and recover.

We like to explain it like this. Imagine starting a new workout routine. You do it every day without fail, and sure, after a few weeks, you start to see some results. But your body is tired, your muscles hurt, and quite frankly, you might be a bit cranky. This is because your body (specifically your muscles and your brain) needs a chance to rest and recharge. That’s why so many fitness experts tell you that you need to take a day off from exercise here and there. And the same concept applies to almost all activities.

Why? Because burnout can make even simple daily tasks feel difficult. Some people feel emotionally numb, while others become frustrated or overwhelmed more easily. Over time, burnout may begin to affect relationships, sleep, physical health, and overall mental well-being.

Common Signs of Burnout

What burnout looks like in you might not be the same as in someone else. The truth is that burnout affects everyone differently. For some, it might result in something physical. For others, it might be something more emotional. That said, here are some signs that burnout has made its way to you, and it's time for a little break.

• A growing sense of apathy, detachment, or dissatisfaction

• Changes in eating habits, such as overeating or loss of appetite

• Constant fatigue or feeling drained most of the time

• Increased irritability, frustration, or anger

• Physical symptoms, including body pain or gastrointestinal issues

• Problems falling asleep or staying asleep

• Recurring tension headaches

Why is Burnout Becoming So Common?

Burnout seems to be everywhere today, and there are many reasons why. Research shows that more than 70% of people experiencing burnout symptoms connect their exhaustion to non-work issues, including family stress, health concerns, personality traits, and everyday pressures. Parenting also plays a major role. In English-speaking countries, at least 5% of families are affected by parental burnout.

Part of the problem is that many people rarely get a true mental break. The average person now spends about six hours and 38 minutes online every day. Between emails, social media, news alerts, and constant notifications, the brain rarely gets time to slow down.

At the same time, people are juggling emotional stress from many directions. Financial pressure, economic concerns, relationship problems, parenting demands, and even political tensions can all pile up. Many people also struggle with today’s “don’t say no” culture. There is often pressure to volunteer, attend every event, answer every message, and always stay productive. Over time, constantly saying yes can leave people emotionally exhausted and overwhelmed.

Signs Burnout May Be Affecting Your Mental Health

It might seem like burnout is just an annoyance to get over. But that’s not really the case. Burnout can actually have pretty serious consequences on your mental health. Keeping this from happening, however, means knowing what to look for.

Here are some signs that burnout has gone too far for you:

• Constant exhaustion, even after getting enough sleep

• Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected

• Feeling detached from people, hobbies, or activities once enjoyed

• Feeling guilty when resting or taking time for yourself

• Increased anxiety, frustration, or irritability

• Loss of motivation or difficulty focusing

• More negative thoughts, including hopelessness or self-doubt

• Trouble relaxing, even during downtime or vacations

Healthy Ways to Reduce Burnout and Take Control

One of the best things you can do to prevent burnout is to start saying no and to create more boundaries. Now, we know that might sound like you’re putting up barriers, but that’s not really the case. The biggest contributor to burnout is taking on more than we should. So, if we start giving ourselves permission to not be everything to everybody else, we can make ourselves more of a priority. 

Here are some things you can do to reduce burnout and help keep your life under your control.

• Ask for help when you need it instead of trying to handle everything alone

• Create limits around work, social activities, and screen time

• Get regular sleep and give yourself time to rest

• Make time for hobbies or activities you actually enjoy

• Practice saying no without feeling guilty

• Spend less time comparing yourself to others online

• Take short breaks during the day to reset mentally

• Talk to a mental health professional if burnout starts affecting your daily life

• Try to schedule downtime without filling every free moment

• Focus on small changes instead of trying to fix everything at once

Burnout Does Not Mean You’re Failing

We want to express something very important to you. Burnout happens to everyone at some point in their lives. It may even come and go. But regardless of how often you experience burnout, it’s not a sign of failure. Burnout is simply a sign that your mind and body have been carrying too much for too long. 

If burnout is starting to affect your relationships, emotional health, or daily life, it may be time to reach out for support. Dr. Fallon’s Practice offers compassionate virtual mental health care throughout New York for stress, anxiety, perfectionism, emotional exhaustion, life transitions, and more. Contact us today to learn more.