What is Stress?
Stress is the non-specific response of the body to any demand. Not all stress is "bad". Major life transitions (moving, getting married, and having children) can provoke stress, as can day to day experiences.
Stress is also the perception of threat. We experience stress when our perception of our ability to cope does not seem to meet the demands of the situation.
The stress response is our mind-body reaction to stress that prepares us to react to actual and perceived threats.
What is Burnout?
Burnout is the result of unmanaged and long term stress. It is a state of severe emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion, depersonalization of self and others, and a low sense of accomplishment.
Stress vs. Burnout
| Stress | Burnout |
| Over-engagement | Disengagement |
| Reactive Emotions | Blunted Emotions |
| Increased sense of urgency | Helplessness |
| Hyperactivity | Hopelessness |
| Loss of energy | Loss of motivation, ideals, hope |
| Anxiety | Detachment/Depression |
| Primary damage is physical | Primary damage is emotional |
| Can lead to premature illness, death | Questioning life's worth |
Managing Stress and Preventing Burnout
Many of us have never really thought about or learned specific ways to manage stress and prevent burnout. The following list suggests evidence based strategies for managing stress and increasing overall resilience. Resilience refers to our ability to withstand adversity and recover from challenges.
Stress Awareness
Relaxation Response Elicitation
Mindfulness
Reappraisal and Coping
Adaptive Perspectives
Social Connectedness
Meaning Making
Healthy Lifestyle