Burnout: signs, causes and ways to recover

Location: United Kingdom

What is burnout?

Burnout is a term used to describe a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, often related to workplace stress. While it’s not classified as a mental health condition, it’s closely linked to our mental health. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes it as an “occupational phenomenon” that typically arises from chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been successfully managed. However, personal factors can also increase our risk of burnout. This blog will mostly focus on burnout related to the workplace and how to manage it effectively.   

Three women sitting at a table in a meeting, in front of a couple of them on the desk are notebooks

When we experience long-term stress and constant pressure, we can reach a point of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. This state of burnout typically involves:1

  • feeling exhausted and lacking in energy
  • feeling negative, cynical, or mentally distant from your job
  • reduced professional performance.

Burnout doesn’t tend to get better on its own. If left unmanaged, it can worsen and increase your risk of long-term health issues, such as heart disease and depression.2,3 It can also affect your personal relationships and overall wellbeing.  

But the good news is that recovery is possible. With the right strategies and support, you can manage burnout and begin to feel like yourself again.

How common is burnout?

According to recent reports, it’s estimated that 65% of UK workers feel burnt out.4 This is 11% higher than two years earlier, showing it’s becoming increasingly common. What’s more, one in five workers have needed time off due to mental health problems associated with stress at work.5

65%
of UK workers feel burnt out.
11%
more workers feel burnt out now (2025) than 2 years ago.
1 in 5
workers needed time of due to mental health problems linked to stress at work.

Let’s compare these numbers to common mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. In the UK, one in five adults have a mental health condition6  and one in four young people 7. In 2021, the UK's Health and Safety Executive also reported that stress, alongside anxiety and depression, has become a leading cause of sickness in the UK workforce.8 So, burnout is a big problem that links to many mental health challenges in the workplace.  

But why is it becoming more common? Several factors can contribute, including: 

  • high stress levels at work
  • workplace pressure, such as unmanageable workloads
  • expectation of constant productivity at work
  • low pay contributing to stress
  • lack of mental health support. 
Two women working in a warehouse or a factory
People working in a warehouse or a factory

What is workplace burnout?

Workplace burnout, also known as job burnout and occupational burnout, is a form of severe stress related to your job. Job burnout happens when work stress becomes chronic. The parts of the brain that deal with the stress response (the amygdala and hippocampus) can become so impaired that the stress response doesn’t turn off.9  

Living in a state of permanent stress and on high alert, eventually the body runs out of fuel to keep going. Then comes low energy and ongoing physical and mental exhaustion, all of which can negatively influence your life and wellbeing. 

Workplace burnout can also affect how you show up at work. You may feel less satisfied with your role, need to take frequent time off or continue working even when you’re feeling unwell or mentally drained. Your productivity levels are also likely to reduce.  

Burnout signs: what are the symptoms of burnout?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained, or you’re not feeling or acting like your usual self, you might be experiencing burnout. Common signs of burnout include:5,10 

Emotional signs of burnout 

  • feeling withdrawn
  • losing your motivation
  • self-doubt
  • feeling more emotional (tearful, angry, sensitive)
  • emotional exhaustion
  • feeling trapped or helpless
  • feeling overwhelmed
  • loss of interest or enjoyment 

Mental signs of burnout 

  • jumping to conclusions
  • maximising problems and minimising successes
  • assuming the worst-case scenario
  • feeling overly responsible
  • having a cynical or negative outlook
  • mentally detaching from work
  • persistent worrying 

Physical symptoms of burnout 

  • feeling exhausted all of the time
  • sleep problems
  • headaches
  • joint or muscle pains
  • stomach problems, such as nausea or loss of appetite
  • high blood pressure 

Behavioural signs of burnout 

  • avoiding tasks you’d usually enjoy
  • working longer hours to ‘catch up’
  • working through holidays
  • taking extra time off work
  • reduced performance at work 

It’s important to note that you do not need to have every symptom listed above to experience burnout - just a few may indicate the level of exhaustion associated with burnout.  

What are the main causes of burnout?

Burnout doesn’t have one single cause. While it’s most commonly linked to chronic stress at work, it can also be influenced by factors outside of the workplace, such as personal factors. We are all different, and things that trigger stress in one person may not in another. Let’s take a look at the leading factors that increase your risk of burnout.11 

Colleagues in an open plan office
Image of a teacher pointing at a whiteboard

Workplace factors linked to burnout  

Certain circumstances at work can bring about burnout, including: 

  • excessive workloads
  • lack of clarity about responsibilities
  • constant deadlines
  • lack of control over workload
  • poor recognition for your efforts
  • being treated unfairly or discriminated against
  • bullying or harassment at work
  • toxic workplace culture
  • job insecurity
  • lack of organisational support.

Personal factors associated with burnout

There are some personal factors that can increase your risk of burnout. These may include:5 

  • being a carer or a parent
  • working in a people-facing or supporting profession, such as nurses, teachers and social workers12,13
  • living with a long-term health condition
  • having less than 10 years’ experience at work
  • being a full-time student
  • working full-time14 
Closeup of nurse wearing facemask
Two women working on a computer together

How to recover from burnout

While burnout can leave you feeling helpless, know that there are things you can do to help yourself recover.  

When learning how to deal with burnout, it’s important to recognise the things within your control and those that you have no control over. For example, you may not be in a position to leave your job, but you may be able to raise work issues with the Human Resources (HR) or Occupational Health (OH) team. 

Some additional strategies to manage burnout include:11 

  • identifying what is contributing to the burnout and stress
  • learning how it affects you physically, emotionally, and mentally
  • physical activity can alleviate stress, improve your mood, and boost your energy
  • prioritise sleep, as sleep deprivation can worsen stress
  • eat a balanced, varied diet to keep you healthy and improve your mood
  • be compassionate to yourself, and remember that this isn’t your fault
  • keeping to a routine can help bring a sense of control
  • integrate mindfulness into your routine, as this can reduce stress. 

When you understand what is happening with your mental health, you can take positive action to improve your wellbeing. These strategies can all make a difference in helping you recover.  

Further reading and useful resources

If you are looking for more information on managing burnout and stress, look at our free resources below: 

 You can also find support for burnout from mental health organisations, such as: 

  • NHS 111: You can get help from 111 online or call 111 and choose the mental health option. 111 can direct you to the right place to get support.
  • The Mind infoline: You can call the Mind infoline on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk . The Mind infoline can answer questions about types of mental health problems, where to get help and treatment options.
  • CALM Helpline and webchat: If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts or feel you are at risk of harm, call the CALM helpline on 0800 58 58 58 or use their webchat service. You can speak to the CALM team about anything. Their opening hours are 5 pm until midnight, 365 days of the year.  
  1. World Health Organization (WHO). 2019, May 28). Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. https://www.who.int
  2. John, A., Bouillon-Minois, J., Bagheri, R., Pélissier, C., Charbotel, B., Llorca, P., Zak, M., Ugbolue, U. C., Baker, J. S., & Dutheil, F. (2024). The influence of burnout on cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. InformedHealth.org. (2024, April 15). Depression: Learn More – What is burnout? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Employment Hero (UK). (2024, July 19). The State of Wellbeing At Work Report 2024.  https://employmenthero.com/uk
  5. Mental Health UK. (2025, May 13). Burnout. https://mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout
  6. Morris, S., Hill, S., Brugha, T., McManus, S. (Eds.), Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey: Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, England, 2023/4. NHS England.  
  7. Morris, S., Hill, S., Brugha, T., McManus, S. (Eds.), Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey: Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, England, 2023/4. NHS England.  
  8. Health and Safety Executive. (n.d.). Health and safety statistics. https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics
  9. Russell, G. (2024, February 14). Burnout – A modern epidemic of occupational stress. The British Psychological Society. https://www.bps.org.uk
  10. National Health Service (NHS). (n.d.).Work-related stress. https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters
  11. Mental Health Foundation. (n.d.). How to manage and reduce stress. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
  12. Bridgeman, P. J., Bridgeman, M. B., & Barone, J. (2017). Burnout syndrome among healthcare professionals. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 75(3), 147–152. https://academic.oup.com
  13. Agyapong, B., Obuobi-Donkor, G., Burback, L., & Wei, Y. (2022). Stress, Burnout, Anxiety and Depression among Teachers: A Scoping Review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(17), 10706.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  14. Mental Health UK. (2025, May 13). Burnout. https://mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout