Reviewed by Dr Andre Budihardjo and Physician Peh Wei Jie
Caution: You Might Not Be Aware of These 6 Signs of Burnout
Published | 6 min read
Burnout is more than just feeling tired occasionally. Learn to recognise its signs to stop it in its tracks.
Recognising the sneaky tell-tale signs of burnout can be
Burnout has real consequences. It’s a significant predictor of high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pain conditions, digestive issues, respiratory problems, and even mortality before the age of 45.
What Is Burnout?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
“From the TCM perspective, this state of chronic fatigue can be classified under consumptive disease. It refers to a deficiency in one of the organ systems in the human body,” elaborates
“When one faces chronic fatigue, the Liver, Kidney, and Spleen are usually involved. The most fundamental concept of TCM is that of qi, which refers to the energy and life force that flows through the human body. It’s fundamental to our body’s processes and daily activities. Fatigue is related to the quantity and quality of qi a person can maintain; hence the primary cause of fatigue would be a Qi Deficiency. Prolonged periods of fatigue can lead to other deficiencies, namely blood, Yin, or Yang Deficiency,” he says.
Signs of Burnout

Some experts compare burnout to trying to drive your car for too long or too fast, to the point where the petrol tank empties but your foot is still on the accelerator. The engine heats up and overwhelms the car’s mechanism and ends up breaking down. Here are some signs of burnout to look out for.
1. Feeling fatigued, not just tired
Fatigue is different from just being tired from over-exerting yourself occasionally. Your body literally runs out of energy and optimal levels of functioning and essentially shuts down to a level of low activity. You may start off feeling a “normal” sort of tired, but as you approach burnout, it will feel like you are extremely tired all the time.
2. Changes in sleep and diet
Sure, you’re sleeping but your quality of sleep suffers. You may also eat more or less than usual, as well as develop gastrointestinal issues. “
3. You don’t feel rested despite resting
When your body is exhausted, it forgets when to switch from an active state to a resting state. In a healthy body, we’ll instinctively wind down towards the end of the day, in preparation for a good night’s sleep. When you’re in a state of burnout, your mind keeps racing – you can’t switch off.
4. Work suffers
With no switching off, you wake up the next day tired, with a sense of dread or indifference. You feel overwhelmed by simple tasks and make mistakes.
5. You fall sick easily
Sometimes b
6. Aches and pains
Did you know that back pain itself can be one of the signs of burnout? “Kidney
How to Stop Burning the Candle at Both Ends

Stop burnout in its tracks at the earliest signs, because ignoring them can lead to compromised health. A key first step is to admit that you are burnt out. This honest recognition paves the way for a reset and healing.
You may then try the following approaches to prevent the signs of burnout:
Acupuncture and acupressure massage

Physician Peh recommends
A study involving nurses reported that acupuncture promotes less stress, more patience with patients, better sleep, and increased mindfulness in 60% of the respondents. In a
Herbs
In the field of TCM, many herbs can be utilised to nourish the body. The organs in particular are the Spleen and Kidney and to treat burnout and its corresponding symptoms. Some common ones include goji berries (gou qi, 枸杞) and cinnamon (rou gui, 肉桂), which can boost the Kidney yin and yang respectively. Ginseng (yang shen, 洋参) also provides relaxation, boosts vital qi, and strengthens the immune system, which can aid the recovery and alleviate symptoms of mental and physical exhaustion from burnout.
“However, one should first consult a licensed TCM physician for a detailed diagnosis before consuming such herbs,” Physician Peh cautions.
A nourishing diet
“The Spleen and Stomach are the body’s powerhouse, providing qi and blood we require for our daily activities. It is important to consume adequate amounts of
He suggests abstaining from excessive alcohol intake, reducing sugar, and consuming fewer cold or processed foods. These will lead to increased exhaustion. Warm and nourishing foods and beverages can be chosen instead. This helps replenish qi and yin within the body and to combat fatigue. Concentrated TCM formulas such as essence of chicken or essence of ocean fish are great for jumpstarting your health.
As you rebuild your health after an episode of burnout, take care to prevent it in the future. Keep your qi flowing optimally by building in breaks to properly rest and refuel, drawing clear boundaries at work, and recognising the tell-tale signs to prevent you from being overwhelmed.
References
- Cleveland Clinic. 2022. What Is Burnout? [online] [Accessed 20 May 2022].
- Boston University. 2022. Work Burnout Signs: What to Look for and What to Do about It. [online] [Accessed 20 May 2022].
- Applied Nursing Research. 2019. Auricular acupressure reduces anxiety and burnout in behavioral healthcare. [online] [Accessed 20 May 2022].
- PLOS ONE. 2020. Acupuncture in persons with an increased stress level—Results from a randomized-controlled pilot trial. [online] [Accessed 20 May 2022].
- PLOS ONE. 2017. Physical, psychological and occupational consequences of job burnout: A systematic review of prospective studies. [online] [Accessed 20 May 2022].
- HR World. 2022. From the Great Resignation to the Great Burnout, employers in Asia continue to grapple with shifting employee priorities. [Accessed 18 July 2022].
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