Stress is a natural response to the demands of daily life, but when those demands feel relentless or overwhelming, the body and mind can struggle to cope. Stress can arise from work pressures, family responsibilities, financial concerns or major life changes. While short term stress can sometimes motivate us, chronic stress places a heavy strain on our emotional and physical wellbeing. 

Burnout, on the other hand, is a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion that develops when stress goes unaddressed for too long. It can emerge gradually leaving people feeling depleted, detached, and unable to function at their usual level.

The symptoms of stress and burnout can vary widely. Stress may show up as irritability, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, muscle tension, or a constant sense of being “on edge.” Burnout often brings deeper emotional fatigue, cynicism, reduced motivation and a sense of helplessness or disconnection from work or personal life. Sometimes people also experience physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues or frequent illnesses. These signs can be subtle at first, but over time they can impact health, relationships and overall quality of life.

When stress or burnout takes hold, it can affect every area of our lives. Productivity may be reduced, decision making can become harder and even simple tasks can feel overwhelming. Relationships may suffer as patience decreases and emotional availability diminishes. People may withdraw socially or lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. Left unaddressed, chronic stress and burnout can contribute to anxiety, depression and long term health issues.

Therapy can provide a supportive space to understand the sources of stress and burnout and to develop healthier ways of coping. Therapy can help to identify unhelpful patterns, explore underlying beliefs and build strategies that restore balance and resilience. This might include learning to set boundaries, improving emotional regulation or developing more sustainable habits