What are five stages of burnout?

Asked by: Miss Jazmyne Sawayn  |  Last update: January 22, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (56 votes)

The 5 stages of burnout
  • Honeymoon Phase. When we undertake a new task, we often start by experiencing high job satisfaction, commitment, energy, and creativity. ...
  • Onset of Stress. The second stage of burnout begins with an awareness of some days being more difficult than others. ...
  • Chronic stress. ...
  • Burnout. ...
  • Habitual Burnout.

How do I know if I am burnt out?

Burnout is a state of complete mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. If you are experiencing burnout, you may notice it is difficult to engage in activities you normally find meaningful. You may no longer care about the things that are important to you or experience an increasing sense of hopelessness.

How long does it take to recover from a burnout?

The time it takes to recover from burnout varies widely. Mild cases may improve within a few weeks with proper rest and self-care, while moderate burnout could take several months. Severe burnout might require six months or more of dedicated effort, including professional support.

Who created the 5 stages of burnout?

This model was developed by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger and his colleagues. Let's break down each stage, so that you can identify the signs of burnout within yourself and halt the downward spiral before it gets out of control.

How to get out of burn out?

Handling job burnout
  1. Look at your options. Talk to your boss about your concerns. ...
  2. Seek support.. Ask co-workers, friends or loved ones for support. ...
  3. Try a relaxing activity. Look for activities that can help with stress. ...
  4. Get some exercise. ...
  5. Get some sleep. ...
  6. Practice mindfulness.

The 5 Stages of Burnout [How To Recognize Them]

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How do you exit a burn out?

Strategies to try
  1. Get professional help. Recovering from burnout can be much easier with the help of a therapist. ...
  2. Alert your support system. ...
  3. Tell people what you need. ...
  4. Practice self-compassion. ...
  5. Monitor your stress levels. ...
  6. Make a habit of journaling. ...
  7. Try different stress-management techniques. ...
  8. Set boundaries.

What heals burnout?

Prioritize your physical and mental health. Get enough sleep, eat well, engage in physical activities, and allow yourself time to relax and do things you enjoy. Self-care isn't selfish—it's essential for your recovery.

What happens if you ignore burnout?

Many people who experience burnout can suffer long-term anxiety, depression, even PTSD. Some may develop chronic illnesses and gastrointestinal disease. There are serious consequences when we stigmatize conversations about our mental health.

What does severe burnout look like?

You may feel that you are on your own, lose your sense of purpose, and feel increasingly cynical, dissatisfied, and incapable. Physical burnout symptoms: You may feel greatly fatigued and without energy. You may get sick often, have body aches and recurring headaches, lose your appetite, or experience insomnia.

What is the core of burnout?

They identified three key aspects of burnout: emotional exhaustion (feelings of being overextended and depleted of emotional resources when working with individuals such as patients or clients), depersonalisation (a negative, indifferent, or excessively detached response towards these individuals) and reduced personal ...

What is the final stage of burnout?

Full-Blown Burnout Syndrome. The last stage of burnout has serious consequences, as it can lead to mental or physical collapse. At this point, the person is likely to experience physical exhaustion, mental confusion, and emotional numbness.

How can I be happy again after burnout?

Daily recovery

Not everyone can take time off from work. But making small adjustments to your everyday routine can alleviate stress in the long run. Building healthy habits like a morning walk, less caffeine, or a daily meditation can help you wind down and recover from burnout.

Can burnout make you sick?

Burnout can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and sleeping difficulties. It is important to recognize and treat burnout early, and with psychological counseling and support, most people begin to feel better and recover quickly.

What are 5 signs of work-related stress?

Symptoms of work-related stress
  • fatigue.
  • muscular tension.
  • headaches.
  • heart palpitations.
  • sleeping difficulties, such as insomnia.
  • gastrointestinal upsets, such as diarrhoea or constipation.
  • dermatological disorders.

What is a coping strategy to minimize burnout?

Tip 1: Turn to other people. Tip 2: Reframe the way you look at work. Tip 3: Reevaluate your priorities. Tip 4: Make exercise a priority. Tip 5: Support your mood and energy levels with a healthy diet.

What happens if burnout goes untreated?

Burnout isn't something which goes away on its own. If ignored or left untreated it can worsen and lead to chronic physical and mental health conditions such as heart disease or depression.

What are the symptoms of your body shutting down from stress?

Sleep problems. Fatigue. Muscle aches and headaches. Chest pains and high blood pressure.

How to reverse burn out?

It's essential to replenish your physical and emotional energy, along with your capacity to focus, by prioritizing good sleep habits, nutrition, exercise, social connection, and practices that promote equanimity and well-being, like meditating, journaling, and enjoying nature.

Does doing nothing help burnout?

That's why the solution to burnout isn't so much about doing nothing but rather doing the things that truly nourish and energize you. That way, you're changing your perspective and building strategies that help you feel renewed, restored, and ready to tackle whatever life throws at you in the long run.

How to comfort someone who is mentally tired?

Express empathy: Show understanding and let them know you are here for them. Listen actively: Allow them to speak their mind, and avoid interrupting or interpreting where possible. Validate their experience: Let them know that you believe they have burnout, and that it's ok if they feel exhausted or overwhelmed.

Is burnout like a breakdown?

Burnout is specifically characterized by feelings of extreme exhaustion, cynicism towards one's job, and a sense of ineffectiveness. Unlike a nervous breakdown, burnout is specifically related to one's professional life and cumulative workplace stress.

What is the best therapy for burnout?

In 14 studies burnout is treated with CBT, stress management training, roots of Rhodiola rosea, physiotherapy, Qigong or music. Self-help groups, interventions at the working place and meditation are further treatment approaches.

How long does it take for your body to recover from burnout?

A 2021 clinical perspective paper notes that previous research has found that many individuals with short-term stress recover within a few months and can recover within 3 months . However, in severe cases of burnout, recovery can take longer than a year.

What is a nervous breakdown?

The term "nervous breakdown" is used by some people to describe a stressful situation when life's demands become physically and emotionally overwhelming. It affects a person's ability to meet their own needs and do daily tasks and activities.