Stress vs Burnout: The Difference and What to Look Out For

Stress? Even the most laid-back among us will feel stressed at times. Everyone has their own triggers: a looming deadline, a busy diary, a tough conversation, a difficult decision or a mixture of them all can leave us feeling tense and overwhelmed. Stress usually comes and goes in our life, but what happens when that stress is persistent and starts to affect us more deeply?

Whereas stress is often short-lived and manageable and may even be a positive in terms of getting stuff done, burnout is a deeper, longer-lasting state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Burnout doesn’t have any benefits.

What’s the Difference?

Stress is usually a response to specific challenges or pressures. It’s often temporary, and with the right support or coping strategies, it can be managed. While stress can be unpleasant and anxiety-inducing, many people find a bit of stress motivating to get things done.

Burnout, as it sounds, is more of a result, a state of depletion. It’s the result of prolonged stress that hasn’t been successfully addressed. People experiencing burnout often feel emotionally drained, detached from their work or responsibilities, and unable to function correctly. In this situation, individuals are unable to recover, even with rest; if the source of stress is removed, they don’t immediately bounce back. Think of stress as a warning light. If ignored, it can lead to burnout.

Signs & Symptoms

Here’s how stress and burnout can show up differently:

• Emotional signs: Stress might make you feel irritable or anxious, usually a bit of a “hyper” state. By contrast, burnout is more of a “depressed” state, with feelings of hopelessness, cynicism, or emotional numbness.
• Physical signs: Stress can cause headaches, muscle tension, palpitations, or nausea. Burnout is more likely to be associated with chronic fatigue or a tendency to illnesses.
• Behavioural signs: Stress often causes people to work harder or longer; they may also be argumentative or quick to anger. Burnout generally leads to withdrawal and/or absenteeism.
• Duration: Stress tends to fluctuate depending on the situation. Burnout can persist even after the stressors are removed and may take a considerable amount of time to recover from.

Causes & Risk Factors

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. As discussed, it’s often linked to long periods of persistent stress, particularly in the workplace. Risk factors can include:

• Heavy workloads, unrealistic expectations, or unsympathetic management
• Lack of support or recognition
• Work encroaching on personal life
• Perfectionism and/or people-pleasing behaviours
• Lifestyle factors such as poor sleep, lack of exercise, or constant connectivity

Prevention & When to Get Help

The good news? Burnout is preventable—and treatable.

Start with the basics: regular sleep, movement, healthy meals, and time to unwind with activities that matter to you. Mindfulness, journaling, and setting boundaries can also help. Talking openly with your manager can be a first step in addressing the causes.

If you’re feeling persistently low, detached, or overwhelmed, it’s time to reach out for help. Speak to your manager, your GP, a counsellor, or explore virtual support options.

Support for Employers

Employers play a vital role in spotting and preventing burnout. That means:

• Encouraging open conversations about wellbeing
• Recognising the signs in staff
• Training and enabling managers to provide strong support to their teams
• Offering flexible working arrangements
• Providing access to Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)
• Investing in proactive mental health support

Humans are like elastic bands: a bit of stretch can be beneficial and enable us to perform our job well. Too much stretch, though, and we can snap.

Stress is a common fact of life, and the transition is gradual and subtle, so it’s not always easy to spot that someone is heading towards burnout. Look out for those signs of persistent overwhelm, withdrawal, and cynicism – in yourself, your colleagues, and your friends – so you can take action before things spiral.

If you’re struggling, don’t wait. Find support with Teladoc Health UK’s Mental Health services and take the first step towards feeling better.

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