It’s true that across every industry, business leaders, managers, and staff are still struggling. While executive and employee burnout was supposed to improve post-pandemic, it hasn’t. Workers are more stressed than ever and suffering from emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion—and seemingly for good reason.
The numbers tell the story: According to a Mercer report, more than 80% of employees are at risk of burnout in 2024, while the American Psychological Association’s 2023 work survey showed 57 percent of workers experience negative impacts due to work-related stress at times associated with burnout. Meanwhile,say that their stress levels are higher than the elevated levels they were a year ago.
Unfortunately, the signs of burnout can manifest in many ways and are often overlooked. These include mental, physical, and emotional signs such as lack of interest, energy, or motivation, forgetfulness, hopelessness, poor sleep habits, change in appetite, anxiety, and depression. Introverts may become talkative, or extroverts quiet and withdrawn. Misplaced emotions such as anger, self-doubt, cynicism, or self-criticism crop up, as do impatience, frustration, and irritability.