Clinical psychologist lists 8 hidden symptoms of stress and burnout

Chronic and unaddressed stress
Stress is an inevitable part of life in our fast-paced, high-tech world. From tight deadlines and long commutes to never-ending push notifications and the constant pressure to perform, so many of us are running on fumes without even recognising it. Your body can handle the occasional stress naturally and not think twice about it, but if you experience chronic or unaddressed stress, it could be simmering under the surface only to erupt into full-blow burnout — a state of both physical and mental exhaustion (Images: Canva)

Hidden symptoms of burnout
Burnout isn’t always so clear in the beginning. Unlike other illnesses, it comes on quietly, often masquerading as ordinary fatigue and irritability and minor complaints. If left untreated, however, it can lead to big issues like chronic anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation or heart disease. It is critical to spot the warning signs at the earliest to take remedial action.

Health risks of chronic stress
“Burnout is not something that can happen overnight,” Pune-based clinical psychologist Dr Rashmi Sondhi tells Moneycontrol. “It is a consequence of accumulating stress that you either failed to notice or underestimated. We tend to tell people with early symptoms that they’re just being lazy and moody, when in fact these are messages from the body and brain telling us that we’re overwhelmed,” she adds. Here are eight little signs of burnout and stress that mean you can’t just ignore it anymore.

Exhausted all the time, rest doesn’t help
It’s normal to be tired at the end of a long day, but burnout-related exhaustion does not go away after a good night’s sleep. It is a heavy, gnawing tiredness that sticks around and frequently affects motivation and productivity.

Always irritated, mood swings
If a bad day makes you snap at minor inconveniences or if you feel abnormally short-tempered, it could be worse than you think. The stress hormones impact the ability to regulate emotions such that you may feel irritated, frustrated or have mood swings often.

Have trouble concentrating
Burnout dims focus and memory in particular. You might find it hard to complete tasks, forget appointments or reread a paragraph and have no idea what you’ve read. This “brain fog” is a pervasive yet often overlooked symptom of chronic stress.

Headaches, indigestion, muscle aches
It's not just in our head that we experience stress. It manifests in real symptoms like headaches, indigestion, muscle aches or pains with no cause? These are all tied to too much stress and cortisol imbalance.

Withdrawal from social connections
Another red flag for burnout is when you begin to avoid friends, family or colleagues. When you isolate yourself instead of interacting, it is a sign that you have tired feelings more than strength.

Reduced sense of accomplishment
Burnout leads to feeling as if there’s no significance attached to any progress at all. Deprivation of satisfaction can undermine confidence and willingness.

Sleep disturbances
Stress messes with sleep patterns, leaving you unable to fall asleep or tossing and turning all night. Disturbed sleep actually makes stress worse as the two entangle in a never ending cycle of tiredness and anxiety.

Rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms
Drowning your stress in too much caffeine, alcohol, junk food or screen time to “relax” is another red flag. These may provide temporary relief, but they actually makes stress worse and affect your resilience over time. (Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis)