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We all experience stress. Whether it’s personal, career-related, or due to other external factors, stress is something that seems like it’s inescapable. 

Feeling stressed out isn’t an anomaly, but recently, I’ve been hearing more and more people in real life and on the internet saying that they’re “burnt out.” 

So, what’s the difference between regular stress and burnout and how do you know when it’s a serious issue? 

Stress vs. burnout 

First, let’s get some basic definitions of all of these terms. According to the American Counseling Association: 

• Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension that results from demanding circumstances. The source of stress is often external. 
• Burnout is not a condition that happens suddenly – unlike stress, which can occur abruptly. Rather, burnout evolves over time. 

The American Counseling Association also notes that, “If left untreated, stress develops into chronic stress and eventually crosses over into burnout. Stress makes people feel that they have too much on their plate, but burnout makes people feel depleted, like they have nothing else left to give.”

Stress is often characterized by emotional or physical tension that can make a person feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress can have physical symptoms including headaches, nausea, and digestive problems, among others, as well as emotional symptoms that can include anxiety, fear, irritability, and others.

Burnout, on the other hand, is characterized by a feeling of emotional exhaustion (feeling drained, depleted, and unable to cope with emotions), cyclical negativity (viewing work or life in a negative light), and reduced effectiveness (experiencing difficulty in concentration, decision-making, and productivity), among other symptoms. 

Like stress, burnout can also occur in various contexts, including work, relationships, and personal life. However, unlike stress, burnout is a chronic condition that can have negative impacts on overall well-being and health.

When does stress become a problem? 

For many people, short bursts of stress can be beneficial and provide a burst of much-needed productivity. The key to stress management is to find a balance between productive stress and stress that makes you feel overwhelmed and unproductive. 

So how much stress is too much stress? Health Direct, an Australian service providing approved health information and advice, notes that you should be aware of when your body is going into “fight or flight” mode. 

“Stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released by your body and cause your heart to beat faster and your breathing to quicken. Your stomach may feel uneasy, your muscles may tense up, and your skin can become sensitive. These feelings should pass soon after the stressful situation is over. If they don’t pass, it may be a sign that you are too stressed,” Health Direct states.

While the point in time where stress is no longer productive is different for everyone, some of the following clues may be helpful in determining whether or not your stress levels are too high: 

• Feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope 
• Feeling “on edge” or unable to stop worrying 
• Changes in sleep patterns, feeling exhausted, and changes in appetite 
• Physical reactions such as headaches, muscle tension, upset stomach, or difficulty concentrating

When does burnout become a problem? 

According to Harvard Business Review, burnout becomes a problem when it starts to significantly impact your daily life, causing chronic exhaustion, cynicism, detachment from your work or personal life, decreased productivity, and negative effects on your physical and mental health. 

If left untreated, burnout can lead to further complications and chronic issues like depression and anxiety. 

So, how can you recover from burnout and prevent it in the future? The Harvard Business Review notes that while burnout can be caused by external factors, there are steps that you can take on an individual level, including: 

• Prioritizing self-care
• Shifting your perspective to buffer the negative effects of the aspects of your job, life, etc. that you have little to no control over
• Reducing exposure to stressors 
• Seeking out connections to continue personal and professional development 

In conclusion

Both stress and burnout can feel insurmountable at times, but neither has to last long term. By understanding the differences between stress and burnout, and understanding how to treat them, you will be better equipped to prevent it in the future.

*Disclaimer: All medical claims made in this article are information provided by the subject. The information is general in nature and not specifically meant for any particular individual. You should always seek out medical assistance from a medical professional based on your individual needs and circumstances.