What Is Burnout (And How Do You Know If You’re Experiencing It?)
In a world that often celebrates “doing it all,” it’s easy to find ourselves physically present but emotionally drained—ticking boxes, attending meetings, replying to emails—all while feeling quietly exhausted inside.
This might be burnout.
At Evolve Wellbeing Psychology, we see burnout not as a failure, but as a signal. Your mind and body are asking for care, rest and realignment. In this blog, we’ll explore what burnout really is, how to recognise it, and what support is available when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
What is Burnout?
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress—most commonly work-related. It often arises when you’ve been giving too much of yourself, for too long, without enough rest or support.
It’s more than just a bad week. Burnout builds slowly, often unnoticed, until suddenly… everything feels like too much.
What Does Burnout Feel Like?
Burnout can look different for everyone, but common signs include:
Constant fatigue, even after rest
Feeling emotionally numb or detached
Reduced sense of accomplishment or motivation
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Irritability or increased sensitivity
Frequent headaches or body tension
Withdrawing from work or people
A sense that no matter what you do—it’s never enough
It’s not laziness or weakness. It’s your nervous system trying to protect you from running on empty.
How is Burnout Different from Stress?
Stress often feels like “too much”—too many demands, too much pressure. But with stress, we still feel a sense of urgency and hope that we can push through.
Burnout, on the other hand, feels like not enough. Not enough energy, not enough motivation, not enough capacity to care.
Burnout is when your internal batteries are completely drained—and no amount of pushing will get you back on track. What you need is rest, support, and reconnection.
What Causes Burnout?
Burnout is most often linked to workplace factors, such as:
High workloads with little control
Lack of support or recognition
Role ambiguity or unclear expectations
Long hours and blurred work/life boundaries
Unresolved interpersonal conflict
A mismatch between personal values and the work environment
It can also stem from chronic caregiving, perfectionism, or ongoing emotional labour—especially in leadership roles.
You Don’t Have to Face Burnout Alone
Burnout thrives in silence—but healing begins with acknowledgment.
At Evolve Wellbeing Psychology, we support individuals and teams to recover from burnout through short-term, solution-focused therapy and long-term emotional support. Whether you're an employee, manager, or business owner, you deserve the space to slow down and recalibrate.
Through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), you can access confidential counselling that’s compassionate, practical and designed to help you find your way back to balance.
What Can Help?
While burnout recovery is unique to each person, here are a few steps that can make a meaningful difference:
Talk to someone you trust – share how you’re really feeling
Take rest seriously – mentally and physically step back where possible
Reassess expectations – perfection isn’t sustainable
Create boundaries – around work hours, screen time, and emotional labour
Seek professional support – therapy offers tools, perspective and healing
You don’t have to wait until you’re at breaking point to ask for help.
Final Thoughts
Burnout is not a badge of honour. It’s a gentle (but urgent) invitation to return to yourself.
If you or someone on your team is experiencing signs of burnout, our compassionate therapists at Evolve Wellbeing Psychology are here to support you. Whether through individual therapy or our EAP services, we’re committed to helping people restore their energy, clarity, and wellbeing.
💚 Visit our EAP page to learn more or explore personalised support options at www.evolvewellbeing.com.au
You don’t have to keep pushing. You deserve to rest, to feel supported, and to heal.
