I'm burned out.
When work, school or caring for others has drained you, rest stops feeling like rest. Start with a real break today, even ten minutes.
Stop for a moment
Slow breathing
Breathe in through your nose for 4 counts, then out through your mouth for 6. Just two minutes.
One small thing for today
Pick one thing you can finish in 10 minutes, like a shower, something to eat, or a few minutes outside. That's enough for today.
Signs of burnout
The World Health Organization describes burnout as the result of long-term stress at work that has not been managed. It usually shows up as:
- feeling drained or exhausted most of the time
- feeling distant from your work, or negative and cynical about it
- getting less done, even when you try hard
Burnout is about work and long stretches of stress. If you also feel low most of the day, or have lost interest in things outside work, it may be depression too. Talk to a doctor or counselor.
One limit for this week
Pick one thing to protect: a real lunch break, a time you stop checking messages, or one day off. Tell someone, so it is easier to keep.
Common questions
Is burnout the same as depression?
No. Burnout comes from long-term stress at work and mostly affects how you feel about work. Depression affects every part of life. The two can overlap, so if you feel low most of the day, talk to a doctor or counselor.
What next?
Also read: Tired of everything I feel depressed