What's This Feeling? The Difference Between Stress, Overwhelm, and Burnout

Recognize this feeling?

Yep, me too. For years of my life, I think stress was pretty much my middle name.

In last week's blog, we talked about stress and I outlined 7 ways to finish the stress cycle as outlined in Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski.

And it's an important question - because not only is burnout increasing exponentially, it's also become a bit of an umbrella term for lots of things happening in the workplace. And I think that's a problem. So, let's dissect this a bit.

While stress, overwhelm, and burnout are all related to feelings of excessive pressure or demands, they can have slightly different meanings and can affect us in different ways.

Stress is a normal response to challenging or demanding situations. It can be physical, emotional, or mental, and it can be caused by a variety of factors, such as work, relationships, or personal problems. Stress can be beneficial in small amounts, as it can motivate and energize us to meet the demands of a situation. However, too much stress can lead to negative consequences, such as difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, and physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches. One of my favorite definitions of stress comes from Kelly McGonigal in The Upside of Stress. She says…

Stress is what happens when something you care about is at stake.

It includes the physical, emotional, and mental reactions to that “threat”. Stress isn't necessarily "bad" and there are lots of strategies that can help us rewire our relationship with stress so that it is our helper rather than the enemy.

Overwhelm is a feeling of being unable to cope with the demands or responsibilities that we are facing. It can be caused by a variety of factors but is best characterized by the feeling of being so underwater that you don’t even know where to begin. Overwhelm can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and exhaustion. Overwhelm can be mitigated through effective approaches to boundaries, values-based goal setting, time management, and putting first things first.

Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that is caused by prolonged stress or overwhelm. It is often accompanied by feelings of cynicism and detachment, and it can affect our performance and overall well-being. Burnout is a serious condition that requires attention and treatment, as it can have long-term effects on health and well-being. It is characterized primarily by:

People struggling with burnout may experience the following:

Because there's no broadly accepted definition of burnout, you might be wary of any questionnaires that claim to diagnose burnout. Many symptoms of burnout can also have other causes including depression, anxiety, hormonal imbalances, medications, or chronic fatigue syndrome. If you are experiencing the symptoms listed above, have a discussion with your doctor rather than concluding that you have burnout right away.

It’s important to note that burnout doesn’t appear all at once —- It is a progressive experience with 12 defined stages, so catching the early signs and getting support and new strategies can prevent further suffering.

In addition, burnout doesn’t just go away on its own. Recovery will likely require physical and emotional support as well as intentional changes to work circumstances, behaviors, and habits of mind that can increase the likelihood of experiencing burnout.

Wherever you are on the spectrum - stress, overwhelm, or burnout - my upcoming class is FOR YOU!!

Click here to learn more about what I'll be teaching in Hitting Refresh-- brain based strategies for body, heart, and mind that will give you passion, purpose, energy, and joy for the days, weeks, and years ahead...........and for all the people who need you and your amazing gifts.