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The Psychology of Burnout: How to Recognize and Recover from Chronic Stress

Muhsin Tokel
Health and Lifestyle
4 min readJan 14, 2025
Photo by Bret Kavanaugh on Unsplash

It started with a few sleepless nights and an unshakable feeling of exhaustion. “Just a phase,” I told myself. But then came the irritability, the brain fog, and the overwhelming sense that I couldn’t keep up. By the time I realized I was experiencing burnout, it felt like I’d lost control of my life. Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone.

Burnout is no longer a rare occurrence — it’s a defining challenge of our times. The World Health Organization recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon, and studies suggest it affects a significant portion of the global workforce. In a world that glorifies productivity and hustle culture, understanding and addressing burnout is more crucial than ever.

What Exactly Is Burnout?

Burnout is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion. Unlike regular stress, which comes and goes, burnout leaves a lasting impact, making it difficult to recover without deliberate effort.

The Key Characteristics of Burnout

  • Emotional Exhaustion: Feeling drained, unable to recharge, and emotionally detached from tasks and relationships.
  • Cynicism: Developing a negative or apathetic attitude toward work, colleagues, or…

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