Here’s why you feel exhausted all the time

It is common to feel fatigue and burnout, but how can we actually treat them?

Science writer David Robson spoke to cultural historian and executive coach specialising in burnout, Anna Katharina Schaffner, to find out more.

In her new book, Exhausted: An A-Z for the Weary, she examines the history and science of exhaustion, while offering evidence-based advice to cope with the life stresses.

But what is the difference between burnout and exhaustion?

All the way back to ancient China, there's a lot of evidence that people have worried about exhaustion and what causes it. So, our anxieties around energy are timeless.

On the other hand, burnout is known as a syndrome that has very specific symptoms, and it is defined as an occupational malaise.

It manifests in reduced energy and efficacy, combined with "depersonalisation", which means a more cynical attitude towards the people with whom we work or the organisations for which we work.

Burnout is a very serious condition as it is the sharp end of the spectrum, if exhaustion is one.

In some people, burnout causes them to change profession and it can last for years until they recover from it, as they can feel completely incapacitated.

Burnout is becoming more and more common

According to a lot of studies, burnout is on the increase across the globe. The more precarious and competitive working culture is what might cause it, and it’s also because we tend to overvalue work.

What we expect of work these days is not just status and an income, but also legitimization, as we want it to provide a sense of purpose and an opportunity for self-realisation.

This could all be a result of modern technology as we’re always connected, as opposed to in the past when there were clearer boundaries between leisure and work.

Our thoughts revolve around work all the time as we find it very hard to switch off completely and not check emails or the messages we get on Slack, unless were are highly disciplined.

What causes burnouts the most?

According to research, the top six reasons for burnout are excessive workloads, insufficient autonomy, inadequate rewards, breakdown of community, mismatch of values, and unfairness.

Some studies show that a lack of appreciation can double our risk of burning out. This is depressing, because it's so easy to give, yet a lot of managers are terrible at making people feel appreciated.

What is more, our heightened expectations can create a lot of shame and guilt about experiencing negative emotions.