Stress & Burnout: Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

Stress is a normal response to pressure, but prolonged stress can begin to affect mental and physical health, relationships and everyday functioning.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Hub

What can prolonged stress look like?

People may feel overwhelmed, irritable, anxious, exhausted or unable to switch off. Concentration, decision-making and sleep can suffer. Headaches, muscle tension, digestive symptoms and other physical complaints may also occur.

What do people mean by burnout?

Burnout is commonly used to describe severe exhaustion and reduced ability to cope after prolonged pressure, particularly around work or caring responsibilities. Similar symptoms can occur with depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and physical illness, so avoid self-diagnosing when symptoms are persistent or severe.

What can help?

Identify pressures you can change, break large problems into manageable steps, protect sleep, maintain activity and social contact, take appropriate breaks and talk to someone you trust. Avoid relying on alcohol, smoking, gambling or drugs to cope.

When should you seek professional support?

Seek help if stress is affecting daily life, you are struggling to cope, symptoms are persistent, or self-help is not enough. NHS Talking Therapies may be able to help with stress and can be accessed by self-referral in England.

If you feel unable to keep yourself safe

If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health support that is not an emergency, contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option.

Related: Anxiety and Anxiety & Sleep.

General information only.