What is recognized as a primary cause of "Burnout"?

Burnout is primarily recognized as a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress, particularly in the workplace. When individuals experience repeated occupational stress and find themselves overworked, they may start to feel overwhelmed and depleted. This can lead to feelings of helplessness, decreased job performance, and a feeling of disconnection from their work.

Repeated exposure to stressors without adequate recovery or coping mechanisms can drain an individual’s energy and motivation, leading to burnout. This phenomenon is particularly prominent in jobs that involve high emotional labor, long hours, or an excessive workload. The lack of balance between job demands and personal resources contributes significantly to this condition.

While factors such as insufficient training, lack of physical activity, and inadequate compensation can also impact job satisfaction and mental well-being, the core of burnout itself is deeply tied to the experience of relentless stress combined with an overwhelming workload. Thus, recognizing repeated occupational stress and being overworked as primary causes of burnout aligns with research in occupational health psychology.