Are you heading for burnout?

Are you heading for burnout?

 With workplace stress on the rise, looking after our wellbeing has never been more important for managing stress and avoiding burnout. The Health and Safety Executive reported that 828,000 workers were suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety (new or longstanding) in 2019/20, resulting in 17.9 million working days lost.

In this blog, we’ll explain what burnout is, how to spot the signs, and how you can avoid or minimise the effects of burnout.

What is burnout?

Working under pressure in a fast-paced environment can help us to get stuff done, but too much stress can become a problem.

First identified by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger in 1974, burnout is characterised by exhaustion, mental detachment from your job, and poor performance. In 2019, the World Health Organisation recognised burnout as an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress.

Burnout can result in a variety of symptoms, from emotional reactions like depression, lack of motivation and reduced cognitive performance, to impacts on your social and emotional life. There are three types of burnout:

  • Overload: you’re ambitious, but you sacrifice your health and personal life for your job.
  •  Underchallenged: you’re indifferent and bored with your work, and don’t find time for personal development.
  • Worn-out: you feel like you have little control over results and that your efforts go unacknowledged, leading you to become neglectful.

What causes burnout?

There are many internal and external factors that can cause burnout, such as:

  • having high expectations of yourself
  • desiring recognition
  • always wanting to please others
  • high demands at work
  • being under time constraints or pressure
  • lack of resources
  • pressure from your management

Am I going to burnout?

Burnout can make it difficult to deal with stress and day to day responsibilities, which is why it’s important to learn how to spot signs of burnout, including exhaustion, irritability, and isolation. In fact, psychologists have identified the 12 stages of burnout, from excessive ambition and neglecting your own needs to behavioural changes and lack of interest.

How to avoid burnout – Learn how to manage your stress

Not all stress is bad, but long-term increased levels of stress can lead not only to burnout but depression, anxiety, and even physical health conditions. By understanding the effect that stress can have on you and being aware of your triggers, you can keep your stress levels under control.

Set boundaries

A healthy work-life balance is key to not letting your work spillover and impact the rest of your life. This can be especially challenging if you’re working from home, but simple things like not answering emails out of office hours can help you to set boundaries.

Practice gratitude

From keeping a journal to work through your worries, to making time for mindfulness in your daily routines, gratitude can help you to lower your stress levels and promote positivity. Make a list of three things you are grateful for today, no matter how small.

Slow down and rest

It can seem counterproductive to rest when you feel like the tasks on your to-do list are piling up, but you only have so much energy. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so take the time to step away from work and recharge your batteries.

Stress less, achieve more

Stress can be a barrier to your success, affecting your closest relationships, career, or social life. It can lead to burnout and an early exit from your work and life goals.

With this Wellbeing Support course, you’ll access professional support that will teach you the techniques you need to keep your mental wellbeing intact. You’ll be able to build positive habits that will enable you to enjoy the results for a long time.

Explore Wellbeing Support
write, blogger, message-2160925.jpg

More Articles

Shopping Basket
Close

 

Paul – Lead Account Manager

Working alongside Dr Yates, Paul ensures that services are well organised, accessible and delivered with care.

Paul oversees client relationships and supports the smooth running and development of YPS, helping individuals, families and organisations feel confident and supported from first contact onwards.

Paul’s focus includes:

  • Building strong, steady client relationships
  • Ensuring services are clear and easy to navigate
  • Supporting the growth and stability of YPS creating welcoming experiences that feel calm and reassuring
  • Web development, and videography
  • He ensures that YPS remains grounded, responsive and is focused on helping people move forward with confidence.

Paul leads on client relationship management, service coordination and organisational development. Paul works closely with schools, families and partner organisations to ensure clarity of communication, timely delivery and high service standards.

He supports referral pathways, contractual arrangements and long-term partnership development, helping ensure services remain consistent, reliable and professionally delivered.

Outside of work, Paul’s main passion is Walking Football. He plays for East Devon, Devonshire County, and South West County. His biggest achievement is having trials with the Over 50s England Walking Football group in 2025. He also enjoys restoring and driving classic cars. 

Close

Joseph - Assistant Psychologist

BSc Hons in Tourism Management, Tourism, and Business Management, MSc Psychology Conversion, MSc Occupational Psychology

Working under the clinical supervision of Dr Yvonne Yates, Joseph supports the assessment and development of psychological services across the organisation.

Joseph’s work focuses on:

  • Supporting psychological assessment processes
  • Assisting in the preparation of structured reports
  • Contributing to the development of wellbeing and learning resources, and delivering training
  • Supporting data organisation and research-informed practice
  • Assisting with service delivery coordination

He has a strong interest in evidence-based psychology and values clarity, structure and ethical practice.

Outside of work, Joseph enjoys spending time with his springer spaniel, Willow, and going for long walks with her and the family. When he can, he hits the ski slopes on his snowboard, and he also likes ice-skating. 

Close

Dr Yates - CEO, Lead Psychologist

HCPC-Registered Educational Psychologist | Founder, YPS Psychology Ltd

Dr Yates has speciailist expertise in ADHD, depression, anxiety, learning differences (SpLD), and emotional wellbeing with children, young people, and adults.

She holds a Doctorate in Psychology (University of Manchester) and has extensive experience delivering:

• Educational psychology assessments, including ADHD and SpLD
• Mental health assessment and therapy
• Social skills and emotional regulation support

Dr Yates has worked in public organisations, including, schools, the NHS, and local authorities, and in private practice, for universities, colleges, and therapy healthcare bodies, such as, AXA PPP and Bupa. 

She is the author of Human Givens Therapy with Adolescents (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) and has published peer-reviewed research on adolescent wellbeing.

Her approach combines evidence-based psychology with practical, real-life strategies that help individuals feel calmer, more confident, and better equipped to succeed at school, university, and work.

Outside of work, Dr Yates is an avid crocheter and is also quite partial to silent discos. She looks forward to spending evenings by the fire, and watching movies with the family whilst creating her latest crochet piece.Â