Burnout Isn't Normal: How to Recognize and Recover from Chronic Stress

Burnout Isn't Normal: How to Recognize and Recover from Chronic Stress

Burnout Isn't Normal: Here's What You Need to Know

Have you ever been told that burnout is just part of working hard? That it's something you simply have to endure? I've heard this countless times throughout my career in behavioral health care, and I'm here to tell you: it's completely false.

Burnout is not a badge of honor or an inevitable part of professional life. It's a response to prolonged, unmanaged stress that can seriously damage your health.

Understanding the Difference: Stress vs. Burnout

Think of stress like a rubber band. Some tension is actually beneficial—it motivates us and helps us rise to challenges. When we experience stress, we stretch to meet the demand, then bounce back to our baseline once the situation resolves.

Stress is temporary. It's your body's short-term response to a perceived or real threat. You forget to pay a bill, or you get into a minor car accident—your stress response kicks in, helps you handle the situation, then calms back down.

Burnout is different. It lasts for weeks or months and fundamentally impacts both your physical and mental health. When stressors pile up without relief, your body shifts into survival mode and stays there. Just like stretching a rubber band too far causes it to break, prolonged stress leads to your body breaking down.

What Exactly Is Burnout?

The World Health Organization defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that hasn't been successfully managed. It's characterized by:

• Energy depletion and exhaustion

• Increased mental distance from your job

• Feelings of negativism or cynicism about your work

• Reduced professional efficacy

How to Know If You're Burned Out

You're not just tired—you're mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted from the moment you wake up. You might feel apathetic, constantly questioning the point of what you're doing. You disengage throughout your day, going through the motions without really being present.

The Danger of "Pushing Through"

I need to caution you about the "push through" mentality. During my third episode of burnout, I convinced myself I just needed to keep going—fix one more crisis, get past one more deadline, and things would settle down.

They didn't.

It took my annual checkup for me to realize what was really happening. My A1C numbers were climbing toward diabetic levels. I developed arthritis in my early thirties. My doctor told me plainly: my job was killing me.

That was my wake-up call. I don't want you to reach that point.

You Don't Have to Change Jobs to Recover

While I ultimately did change jobs, recovery doesn't require that drastic step. The first and most important step is deciding that you want things to be different and believing that burnout is not a normal way to function.

When I made that decision and started my recovery journey, the results were remarkable. My arthritis symptoms disappeared. My A1C returned to normal. I slept through the night and had energy throughout the day. Most importantly, I looked forward to helping others again.

You Can Change This

Remember: stress is temporary, but burnout lasts weeks or months and damages your health. You don't have to accept it as your reality. Recovery is possible, and it starts with a decision to prioritize your wellbeing.

Get your free download of Stress to Peace Today at https://stresstopeace.com