Burnout is a serious issue that impacts workers not only in Australia but around the world. A recent study found that 66% of American employees are experiencing some type of job burnout in 2025 – an all-time high – and in Australia it is estimated that around 61% of workers have experienced burnout.
Unmanaged burnout can put you at a higher risk of developing mental health problems. It can lead to exhaustion, anxiety, depression, and significant health risks.
Who is at risk of burnout?
According to the World Health Organization, burnout is an ‘occupational syndrome’, which means it’s often linked to work, anyone can experience burnout, although not everyone will.
Symptoms of burnout
Signs that someone may be struggling with burnout include:
● decreased satisfaction or sense of accomplishment
● feeling isolated or disengaged from work
● struggling to enjoy activities that are normally enjoyable
● becoming upset or tearful at work
● fatigue, lack of energy, exhaustion or feeling drained
● physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, intestinal issues or illness
● making little errors or lapses in judgement, or not performing to their usual standard
● being late to work, taking longer breaks or work avoidance
● increasingly negative or cynical outlook.
How to manage burnout
While burnout can feel overwhelming, the good news is that it’s highly manageable.
Self-care activities you can do at home without the need for medical intervention can be a good starting point for tackling the symptoms of burnout. Try to build exercise into your daily life – you could try activities like yoga, walking or running. It’s important to focus on eating a varied diet with healthy fats, wholegrain carbohydrates, greens and protein. Getting enough sleep each night will also go a long way to helping manage physical health.
Identify stress triggers in your life and ways to manage them. This could involve regular therapy, exercise and mindfulness. Everyone responds to external triggers and treatment differently, so take the time to figure out what works for you.
Make your social net a priority for self care. This could involve finding group activities to participate in, such as social sports or a book club. Hobbies can also help build meaning and structure into your day-to-day life while fostering connections with others.
While burnout and other mental health issues can be challenging, they are treatable. With the right support, your lived experience can become your strength.
Flourish Australia is here to help. Find out more about our services here.
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For more information, contact us on 1300 779 270 or make an enquiry now.
