Burnout has become all too familiar for many people in the world we live in today. From the cost-of-living crisis, to tech-induced blurring of work/home life, to increased chronic illness that requires caregivers to step up—it’s easy for burnout to creep in and affect any person of any age.So what’s the best approach to address this condition? Not many people truly know how to treat burnout, how to cure burnout and most importantly, how to get over burnout when it’s taken a heavy toll.That’s why we’re diving deep into these questions, and exploring some practical strategies on how to fix burnout and get your energy back. Want to hear from the experts on how to recover from burnout? Read our Anti-Burnout ebook.What is burnout? We hear people talking about “burning out” quite often, but what really is burnout, and how does it differ from simply experiencing stress? At its core, burnout is a condition that arises from chronic stress and can cause a myriad of health issues if left untreated. Often experienced in high-stress work environments or caregiving roles, burnout is a prolonged mental and physical exhaustion. But it’s not just about “being tired”—it’s consistently feeling weary, tired and uninterested in things that once brought energy to your life no matter how much sleep or rest you get.According to the WHO, burnout is 'a syndrome resulting from chronic stress that has not been successfully managed'.“The World Health Organization (WHO) defines burnout as “an occupational phenomenon” and “a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed”. Other than simply mismanaged stress, demanding workloads, poor communication, low morale, mismanagement, disassociation, growing cynicism, lack of skills and opportunities in the workplace all contribute to burnout.”-Tricia Wilkie, Founder and Chief Happiness Officer of The Mind Hub, tricia@themindhub.co.ukTo understand how to treat it, it’s important to first know the warning signs. Symptoms vary between physical, mental and behavioural and include: Emotional exhaustion: Feeling drained and unable to cope with daily tasks or small inconveniences. Depersonalisation: Developing a negative, detached, or cynical attitude towards work or other responsibilities.Reduced performance: Decreased productivity, inability to meet deadlines, and feeling of incompetence.Can you recover from burnout?Yes, burnout is a condition you can fully recover from. However, if left untreated for too long, it can result in further chronic health conditions. That’s why it’s important to know the signs and stem burnout before it becomes too serious. Once you’ve identified that you’re experiencing burnout, recovery involves a combination of self-care, professional support, and often a reevaluation of your priorities and goals. Burnout recovery stagesBurnout doesn’t just resolve in one stage. There are several healing stages that individuals need to go through to achieve full recovery. Notably, there are 4 that are vital to the recovery process: Recognition and Acceptance: The first stage involves acknowledging that you are burnt out and understanding the extent of your exhaustion. This stage is about self-awareness and honesty with yourself about your current state. This can be supplemented with things like meditation and journaling to get quiet with yourself and really acknowledge where you are. Rest and Relaxation: The second stage focuses on giving your body and mind the rest they desperately need. This might involve taking time off work, engaging in relaxing activities, and prioritising sleep. Take advantage of any wellness support you might have and splurge to give yourself the self-care you need. Consider activities like hiking, spending time in nature, meditation, yoga, exercise and spending time with friends to fill your cup. Reevaluation: This stage is about reflecting on what led to your burnout. Consider the factors in your personal and professional life that contributed to your stress. This might involve setting new boundaries, reevaluating your commitments, and possibly making significant changes to your routine. This also might mean seeking support and professional guidance to truly understand where exactly you are, what’s causing your burnout and how you can get back into your routine without falling back into harmful patterns and habits that could create a relapse. Reintegration: The final stage involves gradually reintegrating into your normal life with new strategies in place to manage stress and prevent future burnout. This might include finding ways to implement your recovery strategies into your daily life — be it regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and having ongoing professional support.Burnout treatmentNow, let’s dive into how to cure burnout, how to treat burnout and overall, how to recover from burnout—no matter what stage you’re at.Professional Support: Seeking help from a therapist or counsellor can provide you with the tools and strategies to manage stress and work through the underlying issues contributing to burnout.Self-Care: Prioritise activities that promote your physical and mental wellbeing including things like regular exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and hobbies that bring you joy and relaxation.Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.Adjusted Work-Life Integration: Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life is crucial. Ensure you have regular breaks, time off, and engage in activities outside of work that you enjoy.Social Support: Connecting with friends, family, or support groups can provide emotional support and help you feel less isolated in your experience.Time Management: Learning effective time management skills can help you better handle your workload and reduce feelings of overwhelm.Finding what works for you takes trial and error—it’s about doing low-lift activities that satisfy all elements of your holistic wellbeing: physical, spiritual, emotional, relational and intellectual. How long does it take to recover from burnout?While recovery is entirely possible, you might be wondering: how long does burnout last? And how long does it take to recover from burnout? The answer to this depends on the individual and how much time and effort can be put towards the recovery process—but also, how severe one's burnout is when finally addressed. Recovery is a highly personal process and can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, or even longer in some cases.Factors influencing the duration of recovery include:Severity of Burnout: The more severe the burnout, the longer it may take to recover.Individual Health: People with strong coping mechanisms and support systems may recover more quickly. Pre-existing conditions: For those with pre-existing mental or physical conditions, it may take longer to recover from the effects of burnout. Lifestyle: Implementing significant changes in lifestyle, work habits, and stress management can speed up recovery. But for caregivers, the flexibility on lifestyle changes might be more difficult than for others, meaning it can be more difficult and take longer. Professional Help: Seeking professional help can provide structured support and effective strategies for recovery.It's important to be patient with yourself and recognise that recovery is not a linear process. There may be setbacks along the way—but with persistence and support, you can overcome burnout.Beat Burnout in The Workplace with YuLife We surveyed 2,012 employees across the UK to understand the true impact of burnout—and all the insider info on what employees are facing so you can do a better job of managing burnout in the workplace. And what we found was eye-opening: 66% of employees experienced burnout/symptoms of burnout in the past year.22% of sick leave can be attributed to burnout-related symptoms in the past year69% of employees believe companies can and should support them in their recovery journey. What’s the solution? We collated all the data and insights we collected and got perspectives from burnout and stress professionals from around the world to create the ultimate guide to beating burnout in the workplace: the Anti-Burnout ebook. But this isn’t your typical ebook about burnout—we’re not just talking about the importance. We’re talking about the real causes, symptoms and actionable steps you can start taking today not just to treat burnout but prevent it in the workplace. It will walk you through: First-hand employee insights on their burnout experiences The impact of burnout on overall business health and productivityThe early signs of burnout and benefits to put in place that inspire preventionReady to tackle burnout in your office?Download your free Anti-Burnout ebook today. About YuLifeYuLife is working to reimagine the insurance industry by protecting lives, rewarding living and inspiring life. We’re on a mission to transform traditional insurance into a life-enhancing experience each employee will value and use daily. How does it work? Our award-winning app uses behavioural science and game mechanics to reward your people for living well while offering protection in case of crisis. And with our top-rated employee assistance programme, your team gets access to mental, financial and social support, virtual GPs, nutritionists, life coaches and more to help them live their best lives.Because we believe that your employees should benefit from their insurance from day one — and that wellbeing should be accessible every day, for everyone.Request a demo for your team today.