How Your Body Knows When You Are Burned Out

Burnout is not just mental or emotional. It can also manifest itself in physical symptoms like insomnia, migraines or stomach aches

Do you wake up feeling angry or not wanting to get out of bed? Then you are probably edging towards a burnout. The phenomenon has practically become ubiquitous in our culture.

When people think of burnout, mental and emotional symptoms such as feelings of helplessness and cynicism often come to mind. But burnout can lead to physical symptoms as well, and experts say it can be wise to look out for the signs and take steps when you notice them.

Burnout, as it is defined, is not a medical condition it's "a manifestation of chronic unmitigated stress", explained Dr Lotte Dyrbye, a physician-scientist who studies burnout at the Mayo Clinic in the US. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes burnout as a workplace phenomenon characterised by feelings of exhaustion, cynicism and reduced efficacy.