Some weeks run long. Burnout is different: it's when the long weeks stop ending. If you've been wondering whether stress management therapy could help, it may be because the usual remedies, a weekend off or one more cup of coffee, aren't touching it anymore. This article covers common signs of burnout at work, what it can do to your body, and what you can do about it, including when to talk with someone.
What burnout is
The World Health Organization describes burnout as a syndrome "resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed." It has three parts: feeling exhausted, feeling mentally distant or cynical about your job, and feeling less effective at work (WHO). The WHO is clear that burnout is not a medical condition. It's an occupational phenomenon. In other words, it's about how you and your work fit together. It isn't a flaw in you.
Signs of burnout at work
These reflection questions are adapted from Mayo Clinic (Mayo Clinic). They aren't a test or a diagnosis, and there's no score. They're just a way to notice how work has been landing lately:
Do you drag yourself to work and have trouble getting started?
Have you become more impatient with co-workers or clients?
Do you feel removed from your work and the people you work with?
Is it hard to focus?
Do you feel little satisfaction from what you get done?
Are you using food, alcohol, or other substances to feel better or to numb out?
Burnout isn't a medical diagnosis, and only a licensed professional can help sort out whether something else, like depression, is part of the picture.
A lot of people notice the change slowly. You used to care, and now you're running on empty and just getting through.
Burnout symptoms at work you might not expect
Burnout doesn't always look like exhaustion. Some people notice they've stopped speaking up in meetings, that small requests feel enormous, or that they dread email in a way they never used to. Others find they're snappy at home after holding it together all day. These are common, and they're worth paying attention to.
Burnout symptoms: physical signs
Stress shows up in the body, too. Mayo Clinic lists changes in sleep habits and headaches, stomach or bowel problems, or other physical complaints with no known cause among the possible signs (Mayo Clinic). Mayo Clinic also notes that long-term, unaddressed burnout can take a toll on physical health.
Because physical symptoms can have many causes, it's a good idea to check in with your doctor too. Mayo Clinic also notes these symptoms can be linked to conditions like depression (Mayo Clinic). A licensed professional can help you sort out what's going on.
If you're in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline).
Signs of burnout at work, and what to do
Mayo Clinic offers several practical starting points (Mayo Clinic):
Look at your options. If it feels safe, talk with your manager about workload or expectations. Decide what really has to get done and what can wait.
Find support. Talk with co-workers, friends, or family. If your job has an employee assistance program, see what it offers.
Try something calming. Deep breaths a few times a day, a walk, yoga, or meditation can take some of the edge off.
Move your body in whatever way feels doable.
Protect your sleep where you can.
Notice what's happening without judging it, a practice often called mindfulness.
None of these will change a job that asks too much. They can give you a little more room to think about what you want next. Rest counts.
How stress management therapy can help
Therapy for stress and burnout is a place to step back and look at the whole picture: your workload, your expectations of yourself, people-pleasing habits, boundaries, and what's happening outside work too. A therapist may use approaches like CBT to help you notice thought patterns that keep you on the hook, and try small changes that fit your real life.
It isn't about becoming more productive. It's about getting some of your energy and attention back for the things that matter to you.
FAQ
What are the signs of burnout at work? Common signs include exhaustion, feeling distant or cynical about your job, and feeling less effective, according to the WHO. Mayo Clinic adds signs like trouble getting started, irritability with co-workers, and trouble focusing.
What are physical burnout symptoms? Mayo Clinic lists sleep changes and headaches, stomach or bowel problems, or other physical complaints with no known cause. Check with your doctor about any physical symptoms.
What should I do about signs of burnout at work? Start with small steps: look at your options, reach out for support, protect sleep, and try calming activities. If it's not easing, talking with a therapist can help.
What is stress management therapy? It's therapy focused on how stress is affecting you and practical ways to cope, often using approaches like CBT.
When you're ready
If work has been taking more than it gives back, you don't have to wait until you hit a wall. Learn more about stress and burnout therapy in Toledo at Guided Momentum Therapy Services.
Reviewed by a Licensed clinician at Guided Momentum Therapy Services. Last reviewed: Nov 3, 2026
Sources and References
World Health Organization. "Burn-out an 'occupational phenomenon': International Classification of Diseases" (May 28, 2019). https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Job burnout: How to spot it and take action" (Nov 30, 2023). https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642 (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/ (accessed Nov 3, 2026)
