Burnout, stress, and work exhaustion syndrome are all the same thing. They may have similar characteristics, but today we're going to share the key differences between stress and burnout that you need to know in order to take the right action in each case.
Here are the seven clear differences between the two concepts: Stress vs. Burnout
Stress
- Emotions are running high
- Excessive obligations
- Feeling of urgency and hyperactivity
- Causes loss of energy
- It causes you to experience anxiety disorders.
- The primary damage is physical.
- It can lead to physical illnesses.
Burnout
- Feeling out of place
- Emotions are flattened
- Feeling of helplessness and hopelessness
- Causes loss of motivation
- It leads to depression.
- The primary damage is emotional.
- It can make life seem not worth living.
Conclusion: The result of sustained stress is burnout in all its glory.
When you still feel stressed but not apathetic, you have more energy and emotional capacity to do what is necessary and avoid burnout.
So, what can we do to improve our condition?
Knowing and understanding your emotional state in depth is the first and most important thing. What do I mean by this? If you know you're not feeling well, the way to fix it is not by avoiding it. It's by facing it head-on. Sit down for a few minutes, grab a pen and paper, and define:
How are you feeling?
Why do you feel that way?
What do you like and dislike about your current life and work?
What do you think you need to change to improve your situation?
Which of these changes are within your control and which are not?
Honesty will make the path clearer. Just putting it down on paper will make you feel relieved, and it will give you the clarity to make the decisions you consider necessary:
- Do you need to set more boundaries at work?
- Is the work you do what you want to do?
- Do you have a good relationship with your coworkers?
- What can you do to improve it?
- How is your relationship with yourself?
- Do you participate in any sports?
- Is your diet balanced?
- Are you compassionate and loving toward your emotions and moods?
- Do you take time to rest and respect your own time?
All of this, taken together, either adds up or subtracts. Put it all in order, and you start to feel better. Leave it in disarray, or without taking responsibility, and you feel worse. Now, all of this sounds very nice, as long as you feel you have the energy and ability to do it. If just the idea of doing this introspection overwhelms you, tires you out, or your first reaction is to dismiss it, it's probably a good idea to think about seeking help. Someone who can help you identify what you don't feel capable of seeing and understanding, but that you know is there and needs to change, is key to starting the healing process.
If that is the case, fill out this form, and we will help you.
