Have you ever heard anyone complain about too much stress at the workplace? About how the burdens of the job keep following them home, causing them to lose sleep, and be uneasy, even in their spare time? If you think this is only about being lazy or tired, you're mistaken. Burning out is one of the worst things that can happen to an employee, and can seriously impact his or her workplace performance, family life, and health.

What causes burnout?

Burnout is usually caused by the right mix of personality and workplace. Over-achievers, workaholics, employees under a lot of pressure not being able to vent, are the most exposed. Basically, burnout is caused by too much stress in the long run. It takes a lot of time, often weeks or months, but it will eventually happen. 

What are the signs of work-related burnout?

Among the telltale signs of burning out, we can find continuous fatigue, lack of focus, and loss of appetite. But some signs can't be seen at work: a worker burning out is slowly slipping into a state of depression, continuously loses sleep (despite feeling tired), and loses appetite. Being stressed, losing sleep, and skipping meals will slowly deplete the body of its reserves, leading to shortness of breath, heartburn, palpitations, and stomach pains. In the long run, work-related stress paired with burnout can lead to heart disease, ulcers, and other serious health issues.

How to avoid burning out?

The best way to prevent burnout is to reduce stress and to switch to a healthier lifestyle. But those in a state of burnout often don't even observe their condition - it's up to the coworkers and supervisors to remark their condition in the first place. And to take measures.

This health guide offers some tips on how to prevent, and how to recover from burnout.