Habitual Burnout. The final stage of burnout is habitual burnout. This means that the symptoms of burnout are so embedded in your life that you are likely to experience a significant ongoing mental, physical or emotional problem, as opposed to occasionally experiencing stress or burnout.
Stage 11: Depression
Everything becomes a blur. Life was once technicolor, but now it's gray and bleak. You're emotionally and mentally exhausted. You feel lost and unsure.
How Long Does Burnout Last? It takes an average time of three months to a year to recover from burnout. How long your burnout lasts will depend on your level of emotional exhaustion and physical fatigue, as well as if you experience any relapses or periods of stagnant recovery.
Since burnout affects people differently, recovery time hinges on how a person experiences work-related exhaustion. Because of this variation, recovery time can take anywhere from a few weeks to several years.
The negative effects of burnout spill over into every area of life—including your home, work, and social life. Burnout can also cause long-term changes to your body that make you vulnerable to illnesses like colds and flu. Because of its many consequences, it's important to deal with burnout right away.
Just as the impact of burnout stifles healthy professional growth, emerging research shows that the chronic psychosocial stress that characterizes burnout not only impairs people's personal and social functioning, it also can overwhelm their cognitive skills and neuroendocrine systems — eventually leading to ...
It is displayed in hostility, anger, frustration, and an inability to effectively cope with these negative emotions. Chronic stress that goes on for months or longer should be addressed with self-help relaxation techniques to prevent an escalation to mental health issues.
"When left untreated, burnouts can lead to depression or other mental health problems. If you think you may be experiencing a burnout, it's important to seek help from a professional. There are many treatments available that can help you get your life back on track," says the psychotherapist.
Schabram said, “employees who cannot leave and are not getting support can still help themselves.” Dr. Schabram's research suggests that small, deliberate acts of compassion toward yourself and others can help reduce feelings of burnout, whether it is short-term or chronic.
When you're in recovery from burnout, it can be a challenge to develop the habit of positive thinking. This is why it's important to start small. Try thinking of something positive before you get out of bed each morning. Or, at the end of the day, think back to one great thing that you did at work or at home.
Physical symptoms will become intense, leading to chronic headaches, stomach issues and gastrointestinal problems. Friends and family members may also notice behavioral changes. If left untreated, burnout can become a part of your everyday life and eventually lead to anxiety or depression.
A life coach has revealed that it can take up to three to five years of active recovery to bounce back from burnout, explaining that chronic stress changes the chemicals in the body.
Make time to rest and recover
In order to step out of the cycle, you must first recover so you have the energy to change your behaviour down the line. Give yourself time to rest, then identify your stressors and reduce or remove them. Once you get support and establish boundaries, you can get back in the driver's seat.
While burnout is not a mental health disorder, it is closely tied to a few. Burnout can be a cause of a mental health disorder, but mental health conditions can also cause burnout. According to a study conducted by the University of Macedonia, burnout has an interconnected relationship with both depression and anxiety.
Despite the grip that burnout has over so many of us, recovery is possible. While there's no quick fix to burnout, there are many ways to alleviate stress levels and return to a healthier state of being.
Vandenabeele says symptoms of burnout include insomnia or interrupted sleep, a weakened immune system, nausea and headaches along with low mood and irritability. He explains: “If you notice these symptoms in yourself, or someone else, seeking medical help is an important first step.”
When your day to day life is an endless cycle with a plate that's just too full to carry, eventually your arms have no choice but to collapse. It's a constant battle: if you don't work hard enough everything builds up but if you work too hard, eventually your body collapses from shear exhaustion.
Burnout can lower your extraversion, making you less outgoing and energetic in social situations³⁶. Burnout can lower your agreeableness, making you more cynical and hostile towards others³⁴⁶. Burnout can increase your neuroticism, making you more prone to stress and emotional distress²³⁴⁶.
Studies in mice show it's possible, and a 2018 study in people found cognitive behavioral therapy for burnout reduced the size of the amygdala and returned the prefrontal cortex to pre-stress levels," reports CNN. Other activities beside therapy can help your brain recover too.
Burnout is a state of complete mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. If you are experiencing burnout, you may notice it is difficult to engage in activities you normally find meaningful. You may no longer care about the things that are important to you or experience an increasing sense of hopelessness.
Engage in self nourishment: Involve yourself with activities that uplift your mind and body, such as exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep. Seek support: Talk to a friend, family member, or mental health professional about how you're feeling.