Life is super stressful, everyone feels stress in one form or another, it's a natural indicator your body is working! Short-term stress can be manageable, even a positive form of motivation - put your hand up if you left your university dissertation until the last minute because you ‘work better under pressure’. If stress becomes excessive, it can lead to burn out which will seriously impact your well-being.
Understanding stress
If you’ve been actively functioning under stress for a prolonged period of time, it can feel like the norm. You’re powered by a ‘just get on with it attitude’ supercharging the fatigue with a third coffee, or eating at your desk because ‘I don't have time for a lunch break’. Yes, once or twice in necessary situations won’t hurt but constant stress builds up and can manifest itself in different ways. If you’re not willing to stop to address it, your body eventually will.
Symptoms include: Anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and physical signs like headaches or muscle tension.
Recognising burnout
Prolonged and excessive stress leads to burnout. It's a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion that cultivates a disinterest or lack of motivation for basic tasks and things that would usually bring you joy. Unlike general stress, burnout is characterised by a sense of hopelessness, detachment, and feeling overwhelmed.