When work burns out the soul – how to recognize burnout and regain balance

One day you wake up and feel that something has changed. Coffee doesn't taste like it used to, your inbox raises anxiety, and the thought of another online meeting acts like a cold shower. This is not laziness or a momentary weakness – it could be burnout.

Burnout – the enemy in a suit

Burnout does not appear overnight. It is a slow process that eats away at us from the inside for months – sometimes years. There are many culprits: endless deadlines, work beyond capacity, lack of support, invisibility of our efforts. Everyday life turns into a marathon without a finish line. And although the body still runs, the soul has long since given up.

Main causes of burnout:

• Excessive overload – work becomes an endless to-do list.
• Lack of recognition – even the best results get lost in corporate noise.
• Lack of autonomy – the feeling that others make the decisions, and we are just cogs in the machine.
• Conflicts and isolation – a team that does not support can destroy any motivation.

Symptoms that are easy to overlook

At first, it’s just fatigue. Then comes cynicism, loss of meaning, insomnia, and body aches. We lose joy, energy, ourselves. We close ourselves off, give up on passions, on life. Day by day, work becomes a burden, and we become our own shadow.

Proven strategies for coping with burnout:

1. Diagnose, don’t ignore

Recognizing the problem is the first step. Observe your emotions, bodily reactions, motivation levels. If you feel chronic fatigue, cynicism, and a lack of joy in your work – it’s worth consulting a psychologist or therapist.

2. Take care of your mental hygiene

• Rest intentionally – introduce restorative rituals: a 15-minute walk during the day, a moment of silence without your phone, meditation, breathing techniques.
• Reduce exposure to stimuli – limit excess emails, notifications, social media.
• Take care of your sleep – its quality directly affects mental resilience.

3. Set healthy professional boundaries

• Stop responding to emails after work hours.
• Don't take responsibility for everything and everyone.
• Set clear limits with your team and superiors – assertiveness is not selfishness, it's emotional hygiene.

4. Rebuild the meaning of work

• Remind yourself why you started this job. Return to your values and mission.
• Introduce micro-changes – changing the environment, work style, a new project – can restore a sense of agency.
• Seek a mentor or support group – talking to someone who “understands what you’re struggling with” has therapeutic power.

5. Take care of your body – it works too

• Regular movement: 20 minutes of physical activity daily significantly lowers cortisol levels.
• Balanced diet: avoid simple sugars, focus on regularity and hydration.
• Preventive check-ups: chronic fatigue can also have a physical basis.

6. Consider change – it doesn’t always have to be radical

• Changing positions, teams, management style
• Reducing hours or flexible working hours
• In some cases – a complete career change is the best solution

A special mission – clergy and helping professions

For those who help others, burnout comes in silence. Nobody notices that a priest, teacher, or therapist needs support themselves. Overload, lack of gratitude, loneliness – all of this burns out even the greatest calling. And that is why these groups need special care – including ours.

Don’t wait until burnout consumes your passion and health. Start today – with a conversation, a breath, a decision to change. Because your life doesn’t end with work.