Recognizing the Signs of Chronic Stress and Burnout [Infographic]

Brian Wallace — March 10, 2020

There’s a burnout epidemic going around and it’s costing businesses big time. 77% of all professionals and 84% of Millennials report feeling burned out, and 51% of American workers have felt burned out more than once in their careers. This burnout leads to decreased productivity, higher turnover, and many other significant problems within the workplace. How can employers ensure their workforce is getting the work/life balance they need to succeed?

A third of employees blame the growing pervasiveness of technology for their burnout problems. No longer does work stay at work – technology allows us to bring it home with us, which blurs the lines between working and nonworking hours. That same technology also prevents us from having face-to-face interactions with coworkers, which eventually can lead to feelings of social isolation.

Over time, small stressors build up to create a long-term feeling of stress and exhaustion. Cortisol, the stress hormone, increases by two to five times during periods of stress. Prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol can lead to a decrease in immune function, higher levels of A1C, high blood pressure, and more. Over time this can lead to an increased risk of Type II Diabetes, Hypertension, and more.

How can businesses address burnout? Ensure that workers have the ability to balance work and life requirements. Create an environment in which employees feel comfortable asking for adjustments to their work schedules and routines in order to accommodate life outside of work and their mental health.

For employees, sticking to a schedule, prioritizing each day, and making sure to take care of mental health needs is critical. Ensure you are socializing each day, get plenty of rest, exercise, and be sure to get help if stress gets out of control.

Learn more about chronic stress and burnout, as well as how to control it, from the infographic below.

Infographic source: Online PhD Degrees

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