How To Tell For Sure If You’re Burnt (Or Burning) Out

Burnout has been described as a global epidemic. Even prior to COVID-19, symptoms were rife. Today, with astronomical unemployment numbers and enormous uncertainty as to what the future holds, burnout is everywhere.

Yet burnout remains a deeply personal experience. Your burnout is different to anyone else’s because it is interwoven with your own traits, perspectives, responsibilities and background. Your symptoms will be different too.

So what are the symptoms of burnout? Here’s a list of the most prominent symptoms. Not everyone will have all of these, but if you’re nodding at most, you might be experiencing a burnout right now.

Serious fatigue. Subsisting under relentless stress eventually makes you feel tired all the time. Maybe you even wake up under the weight of foreboding and dread. It’s a “Can’t Even” vibe.

Insomnia. Stress-related chemicals keep your brain constantly spinning and prevent you sleeping. This might start insidiously, but as burnout deepens it can evolve into insomnia where you are unable to sleep at all, despite being world-class levels of exhausted.

Physical problems, including chest pain, heart palpitations, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath or panic attacks and stomach pain.