7 Clear Signs of Burnout at Work—and What to Do About It
Burnout isn’t just being tired—it’s being emotionally done. If your job leaves you feeling drained, detached, or constantly behind, you’re not alone. In fact, employee burnout is at an all-time high.
According to a 2022 Gallup study, 76% of employees experience burnout at least sometimes, and 28% report being burned out “very often” or “always.” The World Health Organization (WHO) even classified burnout as an occupational phenomenon tied to chronic workplace stress.
The worst part? Burnout creeps up gradually—until you're too depleted to recover easily. In this post, we’ll break down the most common signs of burnout at work, how to spot them early, and what to do next.
1. You’re Constantly Exhausted—Even After Rest
Burnout often starts with chronic fatigue. This isn’t your typical end-of-the-day tired—it’s a deep, ongoing exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix.
As described by the Mayo Clinic, one key burnout symptom is “feeling drained most of the time,” even after rest or weekends.
2. You’ve Lost Motivation
Tasks that once felt manageable now feel overwhelming. You procrastinate, miss deadlines, or feel totally indifferent about your performance.
This loss of motivation is a red flag—and it’s often one of the first psychological symptoms of burnout, according to Psychology Today.
3. You’re Irritable, Cynical, or Emotionally Flat
Burnout can lead to emotional withdrawal, irritability, and even cynicism about your coworkers or your job. You might:
Feel disconnected from your team
Start avoiding calls or meetings
Find yourself saying, “What’s the point?”
This emotional detachment isn’t a personality change—it’s your brain's stress response trying to protect itself.
4. You Always Feel Behind
If you constantly feel like you’re drowning in work—despite putting in extra hours—that’s another strong indicator of burnout.
This feeling of inadequacy and anxiety is tied to unrealistic workload expectations or poor boundaries, both of which are cited in Harvard Business Review’s guide to burnout.
5. You Can’t Sleep or Focus
According to the Cleveland Clinic, burnout affects your ability to concentrate and sleep. Common symptoms include:
Insomnia or restless nights
Shortened attention span
Trouble processing new information
These aren’t just signs of stress—they’re signs your nervous system is running on empty.
6. You Dread the Start of Every Workday
If waking up for work fills you with anxiety or resentment, your body and mind are trying to tell you something. Feeling “trapped” or “resigned” about your job can be a deep-rooted symptom of burnout—especially when the dread creeps in on Sundays.
7. You’re Experiencing Physical Symptoms
Burnout affects your body just as much as your mind. You may experience:
Frequent headaches or migraines
Stomach or digestive issues
Tension in your neck and shoulders
More colds or illness due to weakened immunity
The WHO notes that burnout is directly tied to physical symptoms of exhaustion, negativity, and reduced productivity.
What to Do If You’re Experiencing Burnout
Recognizing burnout is a huge step. Here’s how to begin healing:
✅ Talk to Someone
Open up to your manager, HR, or a therapist. Burnout thrives in silence, but improves with support.
✅ Set Boundaries
Turn off after-hours email notifications. Take your breaks. Protect your weekends. Start small—but stay consistent.
✅ Reevaluate Your Role
Sometimes, burnout is a signal that your current role, team, or even career is no longer serving you. That’s okay—and change is possible.
✅ Get Help With the Job Search
If the idea of applying to dozens of jobs on top of your burnout feels impossible, you don’t have to do it alone. Services like Job Genius let you outsource the grind and still land interviews.
You Deserve More Than Survival Mode
Burnout isn’t weakness. It’s your brain and body asking for a reset. And sometimes, the smartest thing you can do is take action—whether that’s setting boundaries, switching environments, or finding a role that doesn’t drain you.
👉 Let Job Genius apply to jobs for you—so you can focus on getting better, not just getting through the week.
No burnout. No spam. Just traction.
Sign up today and take the first step toward a job that energizes you—not one that exhausts you.
