Burnout at work is on the rise. With the shift to hybrid work cultures, people are facing blurred boundaries, reduced fact-to-face connection time with colleagues and often, bigger workloads. It’s no wonder people are becoming more and more prone to experience burnout from work—but how bad is this growing problem? A 2022 study conducted by Asana found that out of 10,000 knowledge workers in 7 different countries, 70% experienced burnout within the past year. In short: burnout at work is on the rise—and workplaces are being faced with how to manage it’s effects on the business and the office In this article, we’ll explore how to spot the signs of work burnout in your employees—and yourself— before it worsens. But first: what really classifies burnout, and how can you tell the difference between it and healthy stress?What is burnout?While we hear burnout as a term used all the time when people feel tired, fatigued and stressed out, what does it mean to actually enter a state of burnout, compared with simply being stressed out? According to the WHO's official definition, burnout is “a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed." It’s a chronic state of physical and emotional exhaustion that can often come on for a variety of reasons—prolonged stress or frustration, being overworked in one’s personal and professional life for too long, and it is often related to career or caregiving roles. Burnout has many signs, and it often manifests in a combination of physical, emotional and behavioural symptoms. What are the signs of burnout?Burnout symptoms vary from person to person, making it extra important to ensure you and your employees are aware of your triggers and ask yourselves: “What does burnout feel like for me?”. Chances are, most of us have either hit the breaking point or have come very close to burnout in the past. Some people might know their triggers already, but still find it too hard to spot them amid heavy workloads and hectic schedules—and that’s where you run into trouble. This is why it’s especially important for team leads and HR managers to know the signs, understand the progression of burnout in their unique teams so they can spot spot them before they escalate too far. While everyone with burnout at work has varying symptoms, here are some of the most common that people report when experiencing or approaching burnout:Physical burnout symptomsChronic Fatigue: Persistent exhaustion that doesn't improve with rest.Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep.Frequent Illness and Pain: Increased susceptibility to colds, flu, and other illnesses like ulcers and general headaches, back pains and muscle pains.Changes in Appetite or Sleep Habits: Either overeating or loss of appetite, as well as changes in sleep patterns.Gastrointestinal Issues: Stomach problems such as cramps, nausea, and IBS symptomsHeart Palpitations: Increased heart rate, and chest tightness/pain associated with a sense of anxiety. Mental burnout symptomsSense of Failure and Self-Doubt: Feeling ineffective, unaccomplished, or questioning one's abilities.Detachment: Feeling disconnected from one's surroundings or emotionally numb.Loss of Motivation: Lack of enthusiasm or interest in activities that were once enjoyable.Increased Cynicism: Negative attitude towards work, colleagues, or their life in general.Irritability: Heightened frustration and anger over issues that wouldn’t normally generate such a reaction. Feeling of Helplessness and Hopelessness: Believing that there's no way out of the current situation, and that things will not improve. Decreased Satisfaction: Reduced sense of personal accomplishment or job satisfaction.Behavioural burnout symptomsWithdrawal: Avoiding responsibilities, isolating from others, and disengaging from social activities, online chats or participation in calls Procrastination: Increased difficulty in starting or completing tasks on time.Substance Abuse: Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or other substances as a coping mechanism.Reduced Performance: A noticeable decline in productivity and efficiency at work.Neglecting Personal Needs: Ignoring self-care routines such as exercise, healthy eating, and overall hygiene.Absenteeism: Frequent lateness, extended breaks, or unexplained absences from work.Conflict with Others: Increased conflicts or arguments with colleagues, friends, or family. Burnout at work is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue — especially with the rise of modern hybrid work environments. That’s why it’s so important to know the signs of burnout, burnout symptoms and the meaning of burnout compared to isolated stress. Both need intervention, but burnout can be highly dangerous if left undetected both to the business and the health of the individual. Understanding the signs of burnout, from chronic physical fatigue to mental detachment and behavioural withdrawal, is essential for maintaining a healthy and productive workplace. By fostering awareness and implementing supportive measures, organisations can better safeguard the wellbeing of their employees, ultimately enhancing both individual and collective performance.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. 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