BURNOUT: The pressure from school, work, and constant online presence contributes to mental exhaustion

Chapter 1: Understanding Burnout: What It Is and Why It Happens 1 of 10

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Burnout is a state of physical and mental exhaustion caused by stress and overwork for long periods of time. It’s more than just feeling tired or having a bad day. Burnout is an all-encompassing sense of fatigue and disconnection that impacts every aspect of your life. Even for Gen Z, who face constant pressure from school, work, and social media, burnout is increasingly common.

What Is Burnout?

Burnout is not just feeling of being overwhelmed temporarily. It's a tremendous exhaustion that can lead to a lack of motivation, cynicism, and a sense of being alone. It can happen when you're constantly trying to meet high expectations, whether they’re coming from school, work, friends or even self-imposed internal pressures. Burnout can creep in slowly, starting with small signs of stress but growing into something much more debilitating over time.

Unlike typical tiredness, which can be alleviated by rest or a day off, burnout is profound. It lingers and requires more intentional recovery strategies. It doesn't just affect how you feel physically but also how you think, behave, and interact with others.

What are the Signs?

Burnout manifests itself in several ways, and it can look different from person to person. Being aware of the signs early on is key to addressing them before it becomes overwhelming. The signs of burnout can be categorized into three main areas Mental, Emotional, and Physical.

Mental Signs

Loss of Focus

You find it difficult to concentrate on tasks, even simple ones. Your mind might wander or feel "foggy," making it hard to stay with anything.

Cynicism and Detachment

You may start feeling negative about everything, your school, work, friends, and even activities you used to enjoy. You could develop a vague sense of hopelessness or feeling disconnected from the people around you.

Procrastination

If burnout hits, an overwhelming sense of stress often leads to procrastination on important tasks. You know they need to be done, but the thought of doing them feels almost unbearable.

Emotional Signs

Emotional Exhaustion

You feel emotionally drained and unable to cope with the stress you’re facing. The idea of another deadline, exam, or meeting feels like way too much.

Irritability

Small things that didn’t bother you before, now seem to trigger frustration and anger. You may snap at people, or feel overly sensitive to criticism.

Loss of Motivation

You struggle to find the energy to care about the things that once excited you. Whether it’s school, work, or personal goals, everything starts to feel like a chore.

Physical Signs

Chronic Fatigue

Even after a full night’s sleep, you still wake up tired. The fatigue from burnout is more than just being sleepy — it’s a deep exhaustion that doesn’t go away easily.

Frequent Illness

Burnout weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to colds, flu, and other ailments. If you’re getting sick more frequently, it could be signs of a burnout.

Sleep Problems

Despite feeling tired and exhausted, you may still find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. Insomnia is a common symptom of burnout, as your brain may have difficulty shutting off.

Why Does Burnout Occur?

Burnout often results from a combination of external pressures and internal expectations. Here’s a closer look at some of the most common causes.

Pressure to Succeed

For many especially younger people, the pressure to perform well academically and professionally is immense. With the rise of the "hustle culture," there’s an unspoken expectation constantly to be working, learning, and achieving. Whether it’s passing exams, getting into a top college, or landing that first job, the pressure can feel never-ending.

Perfectionism

Another contributing factor is perfectionism. If you’re always aiming for perfection in everything you do, it can lead to burnout when you don’t get there. You might feel as though you’re never doing enough, no matter how hard you work at it. This self-imposed pressure can be even more draining than external expectations.

Social Media Overload

Being constantly connected via social media can also contribute to burnout. The comparison game is exhausting, and many feel pressure to project a perfect life online.

Whether it’s comparing grades, job offers, or even lifestyle choices, the constant stream of curated content can make you feel like you’re falling behind. Add to that the pressure to always be online, responding to messages, posting content, and engaging, and it’s easy to see how social media overload contributes to burnout.

Lack of Balance

In many cases, burnout comes from an imbalance between work, school, and personal life. If you’re devoting all your energy to one area (like studying or working) while neglecting your social life, hobbies, and rest, burnout is more likely to occur. Wotk-life balance is key to maintaining well-being, but for many, it can feel impossible to achieve.

The Effects of Burnout

Burnout isn’t just a temporary inconvenience. If left untreated, it can have serious long-term consequences on your health and overall quality of life. It has been associated with the following problems.

Chronic Stress

Prolonged exposure to burnout increases stress levels, can affect your mental and physical health.

Relationship Struggles

When you're burned out, it's harder to connect with others. You may withdraw from friends or family or experience more conflicts due to irritability and exhaustion.

Decreased Productivity

Ironically, the harder you push yourself to meet high expectations, the more burnout can hinder your productivity. Eventually, burnout leads to diminishing returns in both academic and professional achievements.

Conclusion

Recognizing the signs of burnout early on is crucial to addressing it before it worsens. Burnout is not a sign of weakness or failure — it's a natural response to prolonged stress, especially in a world where the pressure to succeed feels constant. By understanding what burnout is and why it happens, you can take the first steps toward preventing and overcoming it.