Stress vs. Burnout — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 16, 2024
Stress is a temporary state of mental or emotional strain due to challenging circumstances, whereas burnout is a chronic condition resulting from prolonged exposure to stress, characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, and decreased performance.
Difference Between Stress and Burnout
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Stress is a reaction to demanding situations and can be positive (eustress) or negative (distress). It typically results in heightened alertness, energy, and productivity in short bursts. Burnout, on the other hand, is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. It occurs when stress is unrelenting, leading to feelings of hopelessness, detachment, and a significant drop in work performance.
While stress can affect anyone and is often linked to specific events or situations, burnout is more likely to occur in individuals who face chronic stress, particularly in high-pressure work environments. Stress can be mitigated by time management and relaxation techniques, whereas burnout may necessitate more profound changes, such as therapy, time off work, and reevaluating life priorities.
Stress manifests with physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances, whereas burnout leads to emotional and behavioral symptoms such as feeling drained, lack of motivation, and a negative attitude towards work and life.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Temporary state of mental or emotional strain
Chronic condition of exhaustion and detachment
Duration
Short-term
Long-term, develops over time
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Symptoms
Heightened alertness, energy, physical tension
Exhaustion, cynicism, decreased performance
Causes
Specific challenging situations
Prolonged exposure to stress
Management
Time management, relaxation techniques
Therapy, time off, lifestyle changes
Impact
Can be motivating and manageable
Severe, often leads to significant issues
Compare with Definitions
Stress
Often results in physical symptoms like headaches or muscle tension.
His back pain was a result of stress.
Burnout
Results from prolonged exposure to stress.
The relentless pressure at her job led to burnout.
Stress
Manageable through relaxation techniques and time management.
She reduced her stress by practicing yoga and meditation.
Burnout
A chronic state of physical and emotional exhaustion.
After years of overwork, he experienced severe burnout.
Stress
Pressure or tension exerted on a material object
The distribution of stress is uniform across the bar
Burnout
Leads to a significant drop in work performance and motivation.
He couldn't meet his targets due to burnout.
Stress
A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances
He's obviously under a lot of stress
Stress-related illnesses
Burnout
Requires substantial recovery time and lifestyle changes.
Overcoming burnout involved taking a sabbatical and reassessing her career goals.
Stress
Physiological disturbance or damage caused to an organism by adverse circumstances
In many areas irrigation is warranted to avoid plant stress
Burnout
A failure in a device attributable to burning, excessive heat, or friction.
Stress
Particular emphasis or importance
He has started to lay greater stress on the government's role in industry
Burnout
The termination of rocket or jet-engine operation because of fuel exhaustion or shutoff.
Stress
Give particular emphasis or importance to (a point, statement, or idea) made in speech or writing
They stressed the need for reform
‘I want it done very, very neatly,’ she stressed
She was anxious to stress that her daughter's safety was her only concern
Burnout
The point at which this termination occurs.
Stress
Subject to pressure or tension
This type of workout does stress the shoulder and knee joints
Burnout
Physical or emotional exhaustion, especially as a result of long-term stress or dissipation.
Stress
Cause mental or emotional strain or tension in
I avoid many of the things that used to stress me before
Burnout
One who is worn out physically or emotionally, as from long-term stress.
Stress
Importance, significance, or emphasis placed on something.
Burnout
(psychology) The experience of long-term exhaustion and diminished interest, especially in one's career.
Stress
The relative force with which a sound or syllable is spoken.
Burnout
A marijuana addict; one whose brains have been burned out.
Stress
The emphasis placed on the sound or syllable spoken most forcefully in a word or phrase.
Burnout
(aerospace) The shutoff of a rocket motor following the exhaustion of its fuel, or having been irreversibly throttled after the application of a planned delta-v.
Stress
The relative force of sound or emphasis given a syllable or word in accordance with a metrical pattern.
Burnout
The failure of an electrical device, usually through overheating due to the application of excessive power.
Stress
A syllable having strong relative emphasis in a metrical pattern.
Burnout
(automotive) Use of the throttle to spin the wheels of a vehicle being held stationary, causing the spinning tires to produce smoke and burn rubber.
Stress
An accent or mark representing such emphasis or force.
Burnout
Characterized by feelings of hopelessness and detachment.
Burnout made her feel disconnected from her work and colleagues.
Stress
The internal distribution of force per unit area within a body subject to an applied force or system of forces.
Stress
The internal resistance of a body to such an applied force or system of forces.
Stress
A condition of extreme difficulty, pressure, or strain
"He presided over the economy during the period of its greatest stress and danger" (Robert J. Samuelson).
Stress
A condition of physiological or psychological disturbance to the normal functioning or well-being of an organism, occurring as a response to any of various environmental or psychosocial stimuli. Signs and symptoms of stress in humans include increased blood pressure, insomnia, and irritability.
Stress
A stimulus or circumstance causing such a condition
Couldn't stand the stresses of the job and quit.
Stress
To place emphasis on
Stressed basic fire safety in her talk.
Stress
To give prominence of sound to (a syllable or word) in pronouncing or in accordance with a metrical pattern.
Stress
(Informal) To subject to physiological or mental stress or strain. Often used with out
The pressure of the deadline is really stressing me out.
Stress
To subject to mechanical pressure or force.
Stress
To undergo physiological or mental stress, as from working too much. Often used with out.
Stress
(biology) A physical, chemical, infective agent aggressing an organism.
Stress
(biology) Aggression toward an organism resulting in a response in an attempt to restore previous conditions.
Stress
The internal distribution of force across a small boundary per unit area of that boundary (pressure) within a body. It causes strain or deformation and is typically symbolised by σ or τ.
Stress
Force externally applied to a body which cause internal stress within the body.
Stress
(uncountable) Emotional pressure suffered by a human being or other animal.
Go easy on him, he's been under a lot of stress lately.
Stress
A suprasegmental feature of a language having additional attention raised to a sound, word or word group by means of of loudness, duration or pitch; phonological prominence.
Some people put the stress on the first syllable of “controversy”; others put it on the second.
Stress
The suprasegmental feature of a language having additional attention raised to a sound by means of of loudness and/or duration; phonological prominence phonetically achieved by means of dynamics as distinct from pitch.
Stress
(uncountable) Emphasis placed on a particular point in an argument or discussion (whether spoken or written).
Stress
Obsolete form of distress
Stress
Distress; the act of distraining; also, the thing distrained.
Stress
(transitive) To apply force to (a body or structure) causing strain.
Stress
(transitive) To apply emotional pressure to (a person or animal).
Stress
To suffer stress; to worry or be agitated.
Stress
(transitive) To emphasise (a syllable of a word).
“Emphasis” is stressed on the first syllable, but “emphatic” is stressed on the second.
Stress
(transitive) To emphasise (words in speaking).
Stress
(transitive) To emphasise (a point) in an argument or discussion.
I must stress that this information is given in strict confidence.
Stress
Distress.
Sad hersal of his heavy stress.
Stress
Pressure, strain; - used chiefly of immaterial things; except in mechanics; hence, urgency; importance; weight; significance.
The faculties of the mind are improved by exercise, yet they must not be put to a stress beyond their strength.
A body may as well lay too little as too much stress upon a dream.
Stress
The force, or combination of forces, which produces a strain; force exerted in any direction or manner between contiguous bodies, or parts of bodies, and taking specific names according to its direction, or mode of action, as thrust or pressure, pull or tension, shear or tangential stress.
Stress is the mutual action between portions of matter.
Stress
Force of utterance expended upon words or syllables. Stress is in English the chief element in accent and is one of the most important in emphasis. See Guide to pronunciation, 31-35.
Stress
Distress; the act of distraining; also, the thing distrained.
Stress
To press; to urge; to distress; to put to difficulties.
Stress
To subject to stress, pressure, or strain.
Stress
To subject to phonetic stress; to accent.
Stress
To place emphasis on; to make emphatic; emphasize.
Stress
The relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch);
He put the stress on the wrong syllable
Stress
(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense;
He suffered from fatigue and emotional tension
Stress is a vasoconstrictor
Stress
(physics) force that produces strain on a physical body;
The intensity of stress is expressed in units of force divided by units of area
Stress
Special emphasis attached to something;
The stress was more on accuracy than on speed
Stress
Difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension;
She endured the stresses and strains of life
He presided over the economy during the period of the greatest stress and danger
Stress
To stress, single out as important;
Dr. Jones emphasizes exercise in addition to a change in diet
Stress
Put stress on; utter with an accent;
In Farsi, you accent the last syllable of each word
Stress
Test the limits of;
You are trying my patience!
Stress
A temporary response to challenging situations.
She felt stress before her final exams but managed it with study breaks.
Stress
A state of heightened mental or emotional strain.
Work deadlines can cause a lot of stress.
Stress
Can be both positive (motivating) or negative (overwhelming).
The stress of the competition pushed him to perform better.
Common Curiosities
What is stress?
Stress is a temporary state of mental or emotional strain caused by challenging situations.
What causes burnout?
Burnout is caused by prolonged and excessive stress, often in high-pressure environments.
Can stress lead to burnout?
Yes, prolonged stress without adequate recovery can lead to burnout.
Can stress improve performance?
Short-term stress can enhance performance by increasing alertness and focus.
How is burnout different from stress?
Burnout is a chronic condition of emotional and physical exhaustion resulting from prolonged stress, whereas stress is typically short-term.
Can stress be positive?
Yes, positive stress (eustress) can motivate and improve performance.
What are common symptoms of stress?
Symptoms include headaches, muscle tension, irritability, and sleep disturbances.
What are the signs of burnout?
Signs include exhaustion, cynicism, reduced performance, and feelings of detachment.
How can stress be managed?
Stress can be managed with relaxation techniques, time management, exercise, and adequate rest.
Is burnout reversible?
Yes, but it requires substantial recovery time, lifestyle changes, and often professional help.
How does burnout affect physical health?
Burnout can lead to serious health issues such as chronic fatigue, heart disease, and mental health disorders.
What lifestyle changes can help prevent burnout?
Balanced work-life schedules, regular exercise, healthy eating, and mindfulness practices can help prevent burnout.
Can taking a break help with burnout?
Yes, taking a break from stressful activities can help alleviate burnout.
How long does burnout last?
Burnout can last for a significant period, often months or even years, if not addressed properly.
What professions are at high risk for burnout?
High-pressure professions like healthcare, teaching, and corporate jobs are at higher risk for burnout.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
