We all go through periods where we’re feeling low, fatigued, and lacking in motivation.

These feelings can often come out of nowhere, so it’s important to take note of them and try not to ignore them. However, if they continue to persist, it may be an indication that something deeper needs addressing.

Burnout is defined as a state of exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. While it affects people differently, it can lead to serious health issues such as depression, anxiety, and heart disease.

It’s important to understand what causes burnout before trying to treat it. Some common triggers include a lack of control, poor communication, unrealistic expectations, and too much responsibility.

If you notice yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your supervisor about how to manage your workload better. You may also benefit from talking to a professional who specializes in workplace wellness.

So what’s burnout exactly?

Burnout is more about how we feel after work than what we do. We can get burnt out because we’re constantly doing something, whether it’s work, school, chores, or just hanging around the house. And if we’re feeling stressed, tired, anxious, depressed, angry, or frustrated, chances are we’ll feel exhausted too. But if we’re really burned out, we won’t only feel exhausted; we’ll also feel cynical, irritated, and guilty.

Are there different kinds of burnout?

For years, burnouts were treated as a single type of problem. But thanks to new studies on the topic, burnouts are now classified into three distinct types: frenetic burnout (when people are too busy), under-challenged burnouts (when people aren’t challenged enough) and worn-out burnouts (when people just get tired). Here’s how to tell these three types apart:

Frenetic Burnout – People who experience frenetic burnout are so dedicated to their jobs that they’re constantly working hard and feeling overwhelmed. They may see themselves as “ultra-ambitious” go-getters who put their careers ahead of everything else, including family life and self-care. They’ll likely define themselves by their job title or feel an intense sense of loyalty or obligation to their career. And because they’ve sacrificed so much already, they won’t be able to say no to unreasonable demands.

Under-challenged burnout – This burnout variant is essentially the opposite of frenzied burnout because individuals may feel a powerful sense of indifference towards work. These employees were likely involved in their job — or idea of the job — to begin with, but lost interest over the course of time for various reasons, such as lack of development or opportunities to grow.

In this case of burnout, work can often feel dull, monotonous, and unexciting. On top of this overall disinterest, these workers may also receive little feedback or acknowledgment, which only increases the feeling of boredom or apathy about the job. Those in parenting, caring, and other labor-heavy roles commonly experience this type of burnout.

Worn out burnout – This burnout type is experienced by people who feel so disengaged from their work that they ignore the responsibilities of their job. They’re past the point of endurance; instead, when faced by difficulty, they may give in or even show outward neglect, or they may even feel like they’ve reached a dead end.

Dealing with burnout most effectively

Some people believe that taking a break from your job is the best solution to dealing with burnout. But if you’re feeling burned out and thinking about leaving your career, you might be surprised to learn that changing careers could actually make things worse. In fact, research shows that switching jobs can increase stress levels and lead to depression. So before you decide to quit your job, try to pinpoint the exact type of burnout you’re suffering from so you can get the right treatment.

If work-life balance is a struggle, consider beginning a mindfulness practice. Workers prone toward frenzied burnout as “people who have little insight into the dysfunctional nature of their conditions and, therefore, little chance of independently adjusting their behavior patterns to healthier forms of conduct. They may also lack awareness of what might trigger the onset of such states.” In other terms, these workers are actively oblivious that clear boundaries should be set between work and personal life. These people may often encounter a critical health or life change to become fully conscious of their unhealthy work habits and behaviors. By incorporating aspects of mindfulness and meditation into your daily routines, you can foster a deeper sense of self awareness, illuminating your actions and ambitions so that you can ask yourself if they are healthy.

Ultimately, a successful reclamation from burnout is less to do with simply bouncing back. In addition to adequate employer support, it demands us to undergo a tough reset with our long-standing partnership with work. Although certainly a towering assignment, discovering the fortitude to undertake the challenge is a chance to set up new limits and mindfulness practices that may help work-life balance for decades to come.