With the tragic news of a promising chartered accountant dying from extreme work-related stress in Pune, the focus has once again shifted to managing workload, dealing with exploitative and toxic corporate culture, and juggling office and home to maintain work-life balance. The 26-year-old woman, who had joined a leading global accounting company earlier this year, succumbed to stress within months, with her mother alleging her workplace gave her hell by making her work for long hours and even on weekends. She was severely exhausted towards the end of her shifts every day. What happens when there is burnout? It starts to affect a person mentally, emotionally, and physically. Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, overwork, and lack of balance in life. Emotional Outcome Of Burnout Emotionally, it can make a person feel the following things:

• Chronic fatigue and exhaustion.
• Cynicism and detachment from work and others.
• Reduced motivation and interest in activities.
• Increased irritability and mood swings.
• Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

Physical Symptoms Of Burnout Physically, a person may experience:

• Insomnia or sleep disturbances.
• Headaches, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal issues.
• Weight changes
• Decreased immune function.
• Increased blood pressure and cardiovascular risk.

Behavioural And Cognitive Symptoms One may also experience certain behavioural and cognitive , such as:

• Procrastination and decreased productivity.
• Absenteeism, tardiness, social withdrawal.
• Substance abuse (alcohol, caffeine, etc.)
• Decreased creativity and performance.
• Decreased concentration and focus.
• Decreased memory and problem-solving skills.
• Self-doubt, criticism, and loss of purpose and meaning.

Ultimately, burnout can cause strained relationships, severe mental and physical health issues, and reduced overall well-being and quality of life. It, therefore, becomes important to . Healthy Habits To Overcome Work Stress In A Hectic Job Read on to find out about the six simple and healthy things you can do on an everyday basis to overcome work stress, even if you have a hectic work life. Talk To Your Manager If you have a demanding job, always be transparent with your supervisor and tell them how much you have on your plate already, before taking up additional tasks. Sit down with your manager and set realistic goals and priorities. Communicate openly with colleagues and know when to take breaks. Consider using productivity apps to manage workload and schedule self-care time.