Burnout is a state of chronic stress leading to:

• Physical and emotional exhaustion: Tired all the time, even after rest
• Cynicism and detachment: Don't care about things you used to
• Ineffectiveness: Can't perform at previous levels, brain fog

It's not just "being tired." It's a nervous system dysregulation from prolonged stress without adequate recovery.

The WHO recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon.

Burnout recovery typically takes 3 months to 2 years depending on:

• How severe the burnout is
• How long you pushed past your limits
• Whether you can reduce or remove stressors
• Your access to rest and support

The nervous system doesn't reset in a week. Most people underestimate recovery time. If you return to full capacity too soon, you'll crash harder.

A vacation provides temporary relief, but:

• Your nervous system needs sustained recovery, not 1-2 weeks
• The root causes (overwork, boundaries, identity) remain unchanged
• You return to the same environment that burned you out
• You may spend the vacation still stressed or recovering from exhaustion

Vacation helps prevent burnout. Once you're burned out, you need structural change—not a break before returning to the same pattern.

They share symptoms but are different:

Burnout:

• Situational—tied to specific stressors (usually work)
• Remove the stressor → begin recovering
• Hopelessness is about capability, not life itself

Depression:

• Clinical—persists regardless of circumstances
• Removing stressors doesn't resolve it
• Pervasive hopelessness about all of life

Prolonged burnout can trigger depression. If symptoms persist after reducing stressors for months, or you have suicidal thoughts, seek professional help.

Preventing recurrence requires addressing root causes:

• Separate worth from productivity: Your value isn't what you produce
• Ongoing nervous system care: Not just when you're burned out
• Sustainable boundaries: Say no BEFORE you're exhausted
• Energy audits: Regular check-ins on what drains vs. restores you
• Rest without earning it: Schedule rest that's not "recovery for more work"