Helping the needy. Taking pride in your work. Making a difference.
You might have started your journey as a nurse, or any profession for that matter, with noble intentions. You might find yourself thinking, ‘Making a difference in people’s lives is why I love being a nurse, but I’m starting to feel really low on energy, drained at the end of every shift, and too tired to pursue other hobbies like that Job burnout.’
That’s job burnout for you.
A staggering 66% of Americans suffered from some sort of job burnout in 2025. And the sad part is that the vast majority of these people may not even know what to do about it. Lack of awareness about job burnout has been the primary contributor to this situation. We’re here to change that with this article.
What Is Job Burnout?
Job burnout goes beyond mere physical exhaustion. It also encapsulates the emotional baggage and mental stress caused by work. While it is not depression per se, it raises the risk of depression. More importantly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified burnout as an ‘occupational phenomenon”. This indicates that it is a result of external stimuli and not just a personal failing.
What Are The Symptoms of Job Burnout?
Burnout does not always slam into you like a freight train. More commonly, it creeps up slowly, disguised as “just a rough week” or “part of the job.” This sleuth-like nature makes learning to spot them early a priority.
Job burnout can leave you feeling drained and tired, be it emotionally, mentally, or physically. Even a good night’s rest can have virtually no impact. You might dread going to work, where you feel there is no excitement, creative outlet, or sense of purpose.
Often, small things will start getting under your skin. A wrong email here and a rude client there make you snap hard. You feel empty and completely detached. While at work, you’re simply going through the motions. Even though you’re putting in the hours, it’s harder to concentrate, harder to care, and your output just isn’t what it used to be. You feel you are always playing catch-up to others. It can also manifest in the form of constant headaches, stomach issues, and tense muscles, especially while at work.
If you are nodding to some of the situations above, you have got that early access pass to burnout land. But no need to stress out, spotting it early can help you navigate those choppy waters better.
What Causes Job Burnout?
Job burnout could be caused by a wide array of factors, like:
- Terrible work culture alone can be enough. If you encounter constant micromanagement, favoritism, office politics, and passive-aggressive Slack messages, perhaps it’s time to bid adieu for your own sake.
- The deadly concoction of limited resources and high expectations. There is no dearth of unreasonable workplaces these days.
- Zero or limited say in your schedule, decision making, type of work, and quality of work can quickly make you feel powerless and insignificant.
- Vague instructions and unclear mandates can always make you second-guess, wearing you out rapidly.
- When all you do is work all day, it obviously impacts all aspects of your health. Poor work-life balance can turn even the most passionate employee into a clock-watching zombie.
- Emotionally intense jobs can also drain you in the long run. You need adequate time to recover emotionally as well.
How To Handle Job Burnout?
Job burnout is a deeper kind of exhaustion that does not simply go away with a good night’s sleep or a weekend off. The good news is that burnout is not a permanent state. The not-so-good news is that it takes a bit of an effort to escape the same.
Talking to co-workers, HR (if you trust ‘em!), family, and friends can take some load off your back and allow you to think clearly. If you feel you are always swamped with work, start saying no. Even if it is against your basic instinct, working across lunch breaks and checking work emails at midnight is not the most healthy practice. See if you can delegate some of your work or rope someone in to help you out. Sometimes, you may tend to work on stuff that’s not even yours to sort out. Try to get proper rest. While you’re at it, stop doomscrolling your phone while walking with your dog and instead focus on doing things you like (or going for a deep sleep). Finally, contemplate a job switch. The answer isn’t always setting boundaries or being more mindful. A job switch to a better workplace can work wonders.
