What Is Burnout? The Signs, Causes and Why Rest Alone May Not Fix It

Burnout is when stress continues for so long that your physical, mental and emotional resources begin to feel depleted.

You may still be getting through the day.

You may still be answering emails, going to work, caring for other people and doing the food shop.

But underneath it all, you feel as though you are running on fumes.

Tasks that once felt manageable become strangely difficult.

Small problems feel enormous.

Rest does not seem to restore you.

And the thought of continuing in exactly the same way can feel unbearable.

That is burnout.

Or, more accurately, that is how burnout can begin to feel.