Ever feel like you’re surviving, not thriving? That dreadful feeling of “burnout?” Whether this is your current phase of life or are celebrating recently getting over the hump, it’s an important topic and I want to shed some light on the subject.
Merriam-Webster defines burnout as, “A state of deep physical, mental and emotional exhaustion caused by long-term, unmanaged stress.” A 2025 study published by Forbes Magazine found a startling percentage of working Americans, approximately 66%, identified as being burnt out. Reasons defining this burnout included increased work, poor economy, and lack of resources including time and diminished labor force.
With its definition and prevalence in mind, let’s transition to some clear signs and symptoms of burnout. While it can manifest differently, some common signs to look for include apathy, extreme fatigue (even when getting enough sleep), lack of motivation or emotional numbness, reduced productivity or increase in errors, irritably, anxiety and even headaches or GI distress according to Mental Health America.
Identifying burnout is key and awareness is the first step to feeling better. Once you’ve done the above, it’s important to put boundaries in place. Perhaps that means protecting your personal time or saying “no” to that extra shift or after hours work event.
Maybe it’s getting up to stretch on the top of every hour or taking a walk during lunch. Or maybe it’s detaching your work email from your personal phone and responding to threads only during your working hours. Whatever it may be, I implore you to create some clear boundaries to protect your overall health and wellbeing.
In addition to boundary setting, it’s vital to incorporate some mindfulness to help reduce stress levels and further support your recovery. This can include prayer/meditation, spending time in nature, enjoying a cup of hot tea or reading a good book. Find something you enjoy that puts your mind at ease. Last, but not least, I strongly encourage you to seek professional help if you find yourself unable to manage or your burnout is long-lasting. Speak with your primary care physician or mental health therapist for additional treatment options and the support you deserve.
If any of the above resonates with you like it has for me, please know you are not alone. Identify the cause of your burnout, create a game plan to heal and extend yourself grace to recover. Your mental, physical and emotional health will thank you for it!
Extending Health and Healing,
Gerald and Emilie Zimmerman, Owners of Dutch Kuntry
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