It’s a syndrome that results from an extreme accumulation of improperly managed workplace stress that can lead to physical, mental, and social consequences.

When a person tends to always be “on, ” they become more likely to burnout. Many push themselves to the point of depression, exhaustion, and helplessness by working countless hours.

Workload reduction and coping strategies are necessary to prevent burnout. Not dealing with the problem puts you at risk of having to quit and retrain, which might bring a whole host of problems on top of the burnout.

• Being cynical and critical at work
• Being irritable or impatient with co-workers, customers, or clients
• Lack of energy to be consistently productive
• Extreme difficulty concentrating on tasks
• Lack of satisfaction in your achievements at work
• Difficulty sleeping at night
• Experience irregular physical ailments such as headaches and stomach aches
• Lose enthusiasm for day-to-day responsibilities
• Daily struggle to get out of bed
• Resent people and things that keep you from working outside of work
• Think that work is the only source of satisfaction.

To prevent a future burnout, when searching for a new position, consider the following:

• Most countries have legal mechanisms that allow for at least unpaid leave.
• Many companies have time-off policies for employees needing a mental health break.
• Most interviewers are aware of their companies’ work-life balance and can inform you if it’s a good fit for your need for “offline” hours in which you’re unavailable for work issues.

• Use balance and prioritization in your workday.
• Watch yourself for burnout indicators. If you’re close to it, reevaluate your working habits.
• Set clear boundaries.
• Avoid answering to work-related call outside of work.
• Try not to feel guilty if you need to or can leave work early.
• Schedule regular wellness check-ins with your boss and team so you can identify overburdened individuals.
• Redistribute work if someone is at capacity.
• If you feel depressed, anxious or highly stressed, seek help from a trained professional.