Stress is one of the most common problems of today’s generation. It doesn’t always have to be because of work, though. We often stress over small things, however, stress can also be positive as it can motivate us to do work properly. But when stress becomes too much, it eventually leads to burnout.
Burnout was defined by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger in 1974 as “a depletion or exhaustion of a person’s physical or mental resources attributed to his or her prolonged, yet unsuccessful striving toward unrealistic expectations, internally or externally derived.”
The higher the expectations and demands from work, the greater the risk of feeling burnout. It is considered as the larger, meaner, older brother of stress.
See also: Burnout: Signs, Symptoms, and Causes
Differences Between Burnout And Stress
Burnout occurs when too much stress goes on overtime without addressing it properly. Identifying which is which can be tricky, however, certain characteristics can help us differentiate burnout from stress.
If not given enough attention, burnout might lead to depression. That is why it is important not to take stress for granted. If you feel like your job is overwhelming you, take a step back. Money and career are nothing compared to our overall well-being.