The psychologist called the first signs of an impending crisis

Burnout is not only exhaustion, but also an identity crisis, when internal guidelines no longer coincide with external requirements. A person ceases to feel the connection between efforts and results, and the usual sources of motivation lose their importance. On October 9, INSEAD professor, psychoanalyst and leadership expert Manfred Kets de Vries and business psychologist Victoria Kharitonova told Izvestia about the first signs of the impending crisis.

Signs of burnout often begin with chronic fatigue that persists even after rest. Gradually, irritability, apathy, decreased concentration and an increase in the number of errors appear. Emotional engagement is falling, and communication takes effort. Physical symptoms also occur, such as insomnia, pressure fluctuations, and weakened immune systems, signaling mental overload.

The main reason for this behavior is internal psychological mechanisms. The fear of losing control, disappointing others, or losing recognition often forces a person to continue working, even when their strength is running out.

"Fatigue is perceived as weakness, and rest is perceived as a luxury. Managers, entrepreneurs, and specialists in helping professions are particularly vulnerable. Their identity is closely linked to their work, so it's almost impossible for them to admit that resources are running out," Kharitonova notes.

What is burnout at work: symptoms, how to cope

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According to her, the first step to recovery is to recognize that this is not just fatigue, but professional exhaustion that requires attention. Ignoring the symptoms will only make the situation worse. It is necessary to systematically reduce the workload, review priorities and eliminate secondary tasks. Slowing down helps to regain awareness and control. It is also important to restore basic resources: quality sleep, balanced nutrition and physical activity, which directly affects energy levels and the ability to adapt to stress.

In addition, the psychologist added, it is necessary to build clear boundaries between work and personal life. Constant availability and recycling do not increase efficiency, but rather reduce concentration and motivation. It is useful to learn how to say "no" when the demands exceed the possibilities. Support is also important — communication with relatives, colleagues or specialists in order to restore contact with yourself.

"Awareness and timely response not only help to avoid a crisis, but also become a tool for sustainable professional development. When a person learns to notice internal signals, he does not just restore a resource — he builds a career more consciously, without constant stress. The "red flags" of burnout are not abstract images, but real signals of exhaustion. To notice them on time means to show maturity and maintain inner balance," concluded the specialist.

On September 25, cognitive patterns specialist and business consultant Alexey Bondarev shared recommendations on how to prevent burnout at work. He advised me to identify an activity that comes easily and naturally, whether it's idea generation, creativity, or analysis. The expert also identified three types of joys that help maintain balance: physical (sports, massage), impressions (new places, meetings) and solitude (time alone with oneself). Bondarev warned about a common mistake that hinders career growth — defocusing, when a person tries to cover too many areas, which leads to stress and superficial knowledge.

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