Have you ever wondered if you’re just stressed at work or actually burned out? It’s a common confusion, especially when you are drowned in work. Both stress and burnt out feeling are similar – they are draining, BUT (and it is a big BUT) they’re not the same. Understanding the difference is the first step toward healing and regaining your energy and clarity.
As a Life Coach, I, Ahsaas Verma, meet professionals every week who feel overwhelmed by deadlines, targets, and expectations. Some are dealing with temporary work stress, while others are facing long-term burnout without realizing it. Let’s break it down.
What is Work Stress?
Work stress usually comes from specific situations, which may be a project deadline, a tough client, or a very-demanding week. It’s intense, but temporary. Stress keeps you in a state of overdrive, often pushing you to perform.
Signs of work stress include:
Racing thoughts and irritability
Tension headaches or poor sleep
Feeling anxious yet motivated to finish tasks
Stress is like a short-term alarm bell. When managed well, it can even help you grow.
What is Burnout?
Burnout is different. It’s not just about pressure; it’s about prolonged, unmanaged stress that slowly empties your tank. Instead of being hyperactive, you feel completely depleted.
Signs of burnout include:
Constant fatigue, even after rest
Emotional numbness or cynicism about work
Loss of motivation and creativity
Feeling “I don’t care anymore”
While stress makes you feel like you have too much to do, burnout makes you feel like nothing matters anymore.
Stress vs Burnout: Key Differences
Aspect | Stress | Burnout | |
Energy | Over-engaged, wired | Depleted, exhausted | |
Emotions | Anxious, restless | Detached, hopeless | |
Motivation | Still want to perform | No desire to perform | |
Time Frame | Short-term, project-based | Long-term, chronic | |
Finding Clarity
The turning point is recognizing when stress turns into burnout. If you often dread Mondays, feel exhausted despite rest, or no longer find joy in what you do, it’s time to pause. One of the best ways to pause is “Shut Up & Sit Down”. Yes, this is as simple as the words! Whenever you find yourself in stress, you can always bring an awareness to conscious mind and say to yourself, “Shut Up & Sit Down”, this is not the time to panic. I know it sounds simple, but it ain’t easy. Bringing your awareness to your conscious needs practice and a lot of effort. Are you aware of the 3-A Model?
- Awareness
- Acceptance
- Action
Shut Up & Sit Down is a technique that works at the Awareness stage. This is where clarity matters. As a Clarity Architect, I help people untangle these mental knots. Through my platform Itna Sa Ahsaas, I guide clients to see whether they need stress-management techniques (like breaks, time blocking, or exercise) or deeper recovery strategies (like boundaries, therapy, or even career shifts).
Well, from this article, you might have had ‘itnasaahsaas’ that Stress is a signal. Burnout is a shutdown. Spotting the difference early can protect your health, relationships, and career.
If you’re unsure where you stand, don’t ignore the signs. Reach out I’m Life Coach Ahsaas Verma, and my mission through my brand Clarity Architect and social media page Itna Sa Ahsaas, is to build my clarity crew – a safe space for everyone to grow!Help yourself to find clarity, recharge, and move forward with confidence.So Redesign to a Better You with me, today!
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