You’ve been feeling overwhelmed at work. How can you tell if it’s stress or burnout?

In my experience, stress is a temporary feeling that varies depending on what's causing it For eg: certain projects, deadlines, unrealistic client demands etc. Stress is triggered when certain situations at work cause pressure, above what we consider normal and its affects, such as lack of focus, headaches, restlessness, disruption of sleep pattern, are more or less temporary. You will notice their quality getting worse when the 'trigger' situations arise. Burn out is a feeling you cannot shake off and is a persistent feeling of lack of motivation. It does not vary depending on any work situation and could stay with you for days, weeks, even months, till you identify it for what it is. You would notice a clear drop in your work performance

I can so relate to it. So in my perspective, stress is usually temporary, tied to specific situations, and can be managed with coping strategies. Signs include physical symptoms, temporary emotional responses, and improved motivation when stressors are addressed. Whereas burnout is chronic exhaustion, often accompanied by detachment and reduced performance. Persistent fatigue, cynicism, and declining satisfaction are common signs. Distinguishing between the two is crucial for effective coping – while burnout requires addressing underlying causes, potentially through changes in workload or seeking professional help.

If you want to take break and start it again after some time - it's burnout. If you want to run away from it - it's stress. Simple

Stress, while a normal physiological response, can significantly impact workplace performance and personal well-being. It's crucial to differentiate between temporary stress and chronic stress, which can lead to burnout—a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. As a Training and Development professional, I emphasize the importance of recognizing these symptoms early. Proactive stress management through training can enhance resilience, improve focus, and maintain productivity, ultimately fostering a healthier work environment that aligns with our goal of empowering individuals and organizations to excel.

To differentiate between stress and burnout, consider the following: Stress is often characterised by feelings of pressure and urgency, but you might still feel capable of tackling your tasks with enough effort. It's typically short-term and can be managed with rest and relaxation. Burnout, on the other hand, is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It manifests as a lack of motivation, feelings of detachment, cynicism towards work, a sense of ineffectiveness, and a reduction in personal accomplishment. Unlike stress, burnout makes you feel helpless, overwhelmed, and as if you have nothing more to give. If you're experiencing these symptoms persistently, it might be burnout.

Quadros mais graves geram o Bornout, onde todos os conflitos de rotina culminam em crises graves emocionais e desequilíbrios físicos frequentes co dores de cabe?a, nos ombros, coluna, enxaqueca e demais sintomas recorrentes.

To discern between stress and burnout, it's essential to recognize their distinct causes. Stress often arises from external pressures or demands, such as deadlines, workload, or conflicts. Conversely, burnout typically stems from prolonged exposure to chronic stressors, such as a lack of control, unclear expectations, or a mismatch between workload and resources. While stress may fluctuate based on specific situations, burnout persists despite changes in circumstances. Identifying the underlying causes can help determine whether one is experiencing stress or burnout and guide appropriate interventions for well-being.

O estresse se caracteriza por diferentes causas, onde rotinas simples s?o desfragmentadas seja por prazos exíguos, conflitos de opini?o, desequilíbrio em tarefas e manifesta??es com motiva??es discordantes em família ou no trabalho.

Ego, pride, desire to impress and deliver a great service. Burnout doesn't always come around due to being overworked or forced to do more. Sometimes it's our own selves that need to realise what the priority and return is before we take on more tasks. For me personally it was taking on too much and trying to spin way to many plates before admitting defeat.

O Burnout é uma redundancia de conflitos emocionais resultantes de pouca valoriza??o e propósito nas tarefas, falha repercuss?o em comunica??o interativa, desvaloriza??o nas solu??es de problemas julgados irrelevantes e expectativas pouco atendidas nas atitudes importantes.