The 12 stages of burnout: learn to recognize the signs

1. Exceptionally ambitious

It often starts with a drive that cannot be stilled and high expectations of yourself. Everything has to be better, faster, more.

2. Working harder

You step up a gear and think that even more effort is the solution, without noticing that your boundaries are already shifting.

3. Neglecting yourself

Rest, food, exercise... these things slowly slip into the background. Your own wellbeing ends up at the bottom of your priority list.

4. Avoiding conflict

You swallow your frustrations and avoid confrontations. You would rather keep going than stop.

5. A shift in personal values

Work carries more and more weight, while your interests and relationships fade into the background.

6. Denying problems

You are often tired and quickly irritated, but you play everything down. "It's not that bad", you say.

7. Social isolation

Meeting up with friends costs energy. You withdraw, even though you actually feel lonely.

8. Clear changes in behaviour

Other people start to notice too: you are short with them, forgetful, less yourself.

9. Depersonalization

You feel cut off from who you are. As if you are in a film where you can only watch.

10. Inner emptiness

There is no energy left. Only a vague feeling of 'I can't do this any more'.

11. Depression

You feel worthless, drained, hopeless. Sometimes even getting up seems like too much to ask.

12. Burnout

Your body steps in: you can no longer function. This is not weakness, it is an emergency brake.

Do you notice signs of stress or burnout, in yourself or in a colleague?

Do not wait until it escalates to phase 12 of a burnout. Stepping in early makes the difference.

Start preventively with our burnout track on BloomUp

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