5 Signs You’re Too Burned Out to Work

More than three in five Australian employees say they’re experiencing burnout — with nearly one in seven describing themselves as extremely burnt out.

That’s not just “a bit tired”. That’s millions of Aussies dragging themselves through each workday, running on fumes, wondering if it’s them… or the job.

If you’ve clicked on this article because you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or quietly googling burnout symptoms between meetings, you’re far from alone. And you’re not weak, lazy or “not cut out for it”. You might simply be too burned out to keep pushing through.

In this article, we’ll walk through:

• What burnout actually is (and what it isn’t)
• How to recognise the signs of burnout that mean you genuinely need a break
• The difference between normal workplace stress and a real health issue
• How mental health leave and sick leave for stress work in Australia
• Practical steps to take now — including how our Australian-registered doctors at NextClinic can support you via telehealth if you’re not up to sitting in a waiting room

Our goal is not to scare you, but to give you language, clarity and permission: if these signs are showing up, your body and mind may be telling you, loudly, that it’s time to stop, rest and get support.

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What is burnout, really?

We toss the word around a lot — “I’m so burnt out” — but it actually has a specific meaning.

The World Health Organization describes burnout as a syndrome that comes from chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been successfully managed. It’s characterised by three main features:

• Persistent exhaustion or energy depletion
• Feeling mentally distant from your job, or increasingly negative and cynical about it
• Reduced ability to perform well or feel effective at work

In other words, burnout is not just about working long hours, and it isn’t a personal failure. It’s what happens when excessive, ongoing workplace stress collides with a lack of recovery time and support, over months or years.

It can show up as:

• Constant fatigue, even after a weekend off
• Feeling numb, irritable or detached at work
• Struggling to concentrate or finish tasks
• Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach issues that seem to have no clear cause
• A deep sense of “I just can’t do this anymore”

If that sounds familiar, you’re already seeing some classic burnout symptoms.

We’ve explored this more deeply in our article **Burnout or Just Tired?**, which looks at how chronic stress can mimic physical illness and when it’s appropriate to use sick leave for burnout. If you’re unsure where you sit, that’s a great companion read.

Why burnout is skyrocketing in Australian workplaces

If you feel like everyone around you is running on empty, you’re not imagining it.

A recent report using the TELUS Mental Health Index found that over three in five Australian employees are experiencing burnout, with nearly half feeling mentally or physically exhausted after work.

Other Australian research has found:

• Around 59% of employees report work-related mental distress, including anxiety, emotional exhaustion and burnout, driven by heavy workload, meeting overload and unrealistic deadlines.
• Mental health conditions now account for around 9% of serious workers’ compensation claims, and these claims typically involve much more time off work than physical injuries.

Safe Work Australia and business.gov.au both emphasise that psychological health is just as important as physical safety at work, and that employers have a legal duty to manage psychosocial risks (like high job demands, bullying and lack of support) — not just physical hazards.

Add in:

• Cost-of-living stress
• Blurred boundaries between work and home (hello, after-hours emails)
• Caring responsibilities and long commutes for many Australians

…and it’s no wonder burnout is on the rise.

But while the system might be stressful, your body is still the one carrying the load. The challenge is learning to spot when you’ve crossed a line — when you’re no longer “just stressed”, but too burned out to work safely and sustainably.

5 signs you’re too burned out to work

Everyone’s experience is slightly different, but these five signs are strong clues that it might be time to step back, seek help and seriously consider mental health leave.

1. You’re exhausted all the time — and rest doesn’t fix it

Plenty of us feel tired after a hectic week. That’s normal. With burnout, though, the exhaustion is deeper and more stubborn.

Ask yourself:

• Do you wake up already feeling drained, even after a full night’s sleep?
• Do basic tasks — getting dressed, commuting, answering emails — feel like wading through wet cement?
• Does a weekend off barely scratch the surface, with the same crushing fatigue returning every Monday?

This kind of persistent exhaustion is one of the core signs of burnout. It’s not just physical; it’s emotional and mental too. You might find:

• You don’t have the energy to socialise, exercise or do hobbies you used to enjoy
• Small inconveniences (a slow computer, a minor mistake) feel overwhelming
• You crash on the couch after work and can’t muster energy for anything else

If sleep, coffee and “pushing through” aren’t cutting it, that’s a strong sign your body is demanding more than a quick recharge — it may need proper time off and medical support.

2. You dread work and feel detached or cynical

A bit of Sunday-night dread before a big week is common. But if the thought of work fills you with panic, heaviness or outright dread every single day, burnout may be at play.

Look for these emotional burnout symptoms:

• You feel numb, detached or “over it” at work
• You catch yourself thinking, “What’s the point?” or “I just don’t care anymore”
• You’re more irritable with colleagues or customers
• You feel like the smallest work request is “too much”

The WHO’s description of burnout includes increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism.

You might notice:

• You used to care about doing a good job; now you’re just trying to get through the day
• You avoid calls, emails or meetings because they feel like too much emotional effort
• You’re fantasising about quitting — not because there’s a dream job waiting, but because you desperately want out

If your emotional reaction to work is this intense and persistent, it’s not just “being grumpy”. It’s your brain signalling that your workload, work culture or both have pushed you into an unhealthy state.

3. Your concentration and performance have fallen off a cliff

Burnout doesn’t just live in your feelings — it shows up in how your brain works.

Some red flags:

• You read the same email three times and still don’t take it in
• You keep making small mistakes you’d never have made a year ago
• Tasks that used to take half an hour now take half a day
• You’re constantly forgetting things or missing deadlines
• Your to-do list is growing, but your ability to actually tackle it has shrunk

This can be deeply unsettling for high performers and perfectionists. You might start to worry you’re “losing it” or not good enough for your role anymore.

In reality, this drop in focus and efficiency is a classic burnout symptom: your brain is overloaded. Just like a muscle can’t keep lifting heavy weights forever, your cognitive “muscles” eventually give out under unrelenting pressure.

If your job involves safety-critical work (healthcare, transport, construction, emergency services), this isn’t just about performance — it can be a genuine safety risk for you and others. That’s a strong argument for stepping away on sick leave for stress until you’re well enough to work safely again.

4. Your body is sounding the alarm

Burnout might be rooted in the brain, but it absolutely shows up in the body.

Common physical burnout symptoms include:

• Frequent headaches or migraines
• Muscle tension and aches, especially in your neck, shoulders or back
• Upset stomach, diarrhoea, constipation or “nervous tummy”
• Heart palpitations, chest tightness or a racing heart
• Changes in appetite (eating much more or much less than usual)
• Sleep problems — trouble falling asleep, waking in the night, or sleeping too much and still feeling exhausted
• Getting every cold or bug that’s going around

Chronic stress keeps your body in a sort of “fight or flight” mode. Over time this can weaken your immune system and contribute to real health problems like high blood pressure, digestive disorders and chronic pain conditions.

Important: some symptoms, like chest pain, difficulty breathing, or sudden severe headaches, can be signs of serious illness. Don’t assume it’s “just stress”.

• If you have chest pain, difficulty breathing, or symptoms of stroke or heart attack, call 000 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department.
• For 24/7 health advice, you can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 anywhere in Australia.

If you’ve ruled out urgent medical causes and you’re still plagued by physical symptoms that flare during workplace stress and ease slightly when you rest, burnout may be a key part of the picture.

5. Your life outside work is shrinking (or spiralling)

One of the clearest signs you’re too burned out to work is when work starts poisoning the rest of your life.

Ask yourself honestly:

• Have you stopped seeing friends or family because you’re too tired or flat?
• Do you snap at loved ones over minor things because your patience is gone?
• Are you relying more on alcohol, vaping, gaming or scrolling just to numb out after work?
• Are basic tasks — cooking, cleaning, paying bills — falling by the wayside?
• Do you feel you have nothing left to give, even to yourself?

Over time, burnout can also slide into anxiety or depression. You might notice:

• Persistent sadness, hopelessness or feeling like a burden
• Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Thoughts like “Everyone would be better off if I disappeared”

If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts or feel you might act on them:

• Call 000 immediately, or
• Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 for 24/7 crisis support in Australia.

These are not “just a bad week” signs. They are serious indicators that your mental health and overall wellbeing have been pushed beyond a sustainable limit — and continuing to force yourself to work may only make things worse.

When burnout means it’s time for mental health leave

Here’s a helpful rule of thumb:

"If your symptoms are affecting your ability to function normally at work and at home — despite reasonable rest — it’s no longer “just stress”. It’s a health issue."

That’s when mental health leave (using your sick leave for stress or burnout) becomes not only reasonable, but responsible.

You might need to step away from work when:

• You’re making frequent errors that could harm your job, your colleagues or the public
• You’re so exhausted or anxious that getting through a standard workday feels impossible
• Your GP or psychologist has recommended time off to recover
• You’ve tried smaller adjustments — like a day or two off, reducing hours, or changing tasks — and they haven’t made a dent

Remember: taking leave isn’t “failing to cope”. It’s treating your mental health as seriously as you would the flu, pneumonia or a back injury.

In fact, Safe Work Australia’s own data shows that psychological injuries often require more time away from work and have higher costs than physical injuries — another sign that rest and proper care aren’t indulgent; they’re essential.

How mental health leave and sick leave for stress work in Australia

A lot of Australians worry: “Can I really take sick leave just for stress or burnout?”

Legally, the answer is yes, as long as you’re genuinely unfit for work.

Here’s the basic picture under Australian workplace law (this is general information, not legal advice):

• There’s no separate category called “stress leave” in the Fair Work Act. Instead, stress, anxiety and burnout fall under your normal paid personal/carer’s leave (sick leave) if they make you unfit to work.
• Full-time employees are generally entitled to 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave per year, which accrues over time (pro rata for part-time employees).
• You must let your employer know as soon as practicable that you’re taking leave and how long you expect to be away.
• Your employer is allowed to ask for evidence, such as a medical certificate, even for a single day off — and many do.
• A medical certificate does not have to include your diagnosis. It can simply state that you are unfit for work for a certain period due to a medical condition. This protects your privacy while still meeting legal requirements.

If you’re unsure about your exact rights, you can check the Fair Work Ombudsman’s resources on health and wellbeing support, or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for advice.

We also break this down in more detail (in plain English) in our article **Burnout or Just Tired?**, including how to talk to a doctor about stress and what to expect from an online medical certificate.

Practical steps to start recovering from burnout

Recognising burnout symptoms is step one. Step two is doing something about it — and yes, that can feel hard when you already have zero energy.

Here are some manageable, realistic actions to consider.

1. Talk to a health professional

Start with your GP or another trusted health professional. They can:

• Assess your symptoms and rule out other medical conditions
• Help distinguish between depression, anxiety and burnout (they can overlap)
• Advise whether you need time off work, a mental health treatment plan, medication, or referrals to a psychologist or psychiatrist
• Provide a medical certificate if they consider you unfit for work (including for stress or burnout)

If getting to a clinic feels impossible right now, we completely understand. This is exactly where telehealth can reduce the barrier to getting help (we’ll explain how we can support you shortly).

For more on recognising and managing everyday stress, you might like our blog post **Mental Health Matters: Recognizing and Managing Stress in a Busy World**, which covers practical coping strategies and when to seek help.

2. Use your support systems

You don’t have to do this alone.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): If your workplace offers an EAP, it usually provides free, confidential counselling for employees. The Fair Work Ombudsman specifically recommends EAPs and mental health helplines as support options for workers under stress.
• Free mental health services:
  • Lifeline (13 11 14) – 24/7 crisis support
  • Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) – 24/7 mental health support
  • Head to Health and MindSpot Clinic – government-backed, free online resources and therapy programs for Australians experiencing stress, anxiety and depression

Even a single phone call or online chat can be a turning point when you’re feeling stuck.

3. Set boundaries around work

If you’re still working — or easing back in after leave — boundaries are vital to prevent slipping straight back into burnout.

Consider:

• Turning off work email and chat notifications outside your agreed hours
• Speaking with your manager or HR about realistic workloads and priorities
• Saying “no” or “not right now” to non-essential tasks when you’re at capacity
• Taking proper breaks away from your desk (short “reset” breaks can make a real difference, as research on workplace stress has repeatedly shown)

Australian guidance for businesses on creating mentally healthy workplaces stresses that managing job demands and giving workers genuine recovery time isn’t just nice to have — it’s part of their work health and safety obligations.

4. Focus on small, consistent self-care — not perfection

When you’re burned out, huge lifestyle overhauls are unrealistic. Aim for small, sustainable changes instead:

• Going to bed half an hour earlier
• Getting outside for a 10-minute walk most days
• Eating something nourishing at least once a day
• Scheduling one genuinely restful activity each weekend (not chores!)

For more ideas, our post **Natural Ways to Manage Menopausal Symptoms** includes practical stress-reduction tips like mindfulness, relaxation and gentle movement — useful for anyone dealing with stress, not just menopause.

If you’re also struggling with anxiety, our article **Anxiety Disorders: Common Symptoms and Effective Treatments** dives into evidence-based approaches tailored to Australians.

How we can support you at NextClinic

When you’re burned out, the thought of sitting in a crowded waiting room can be the thing that stops you from seeking help at all.

That’s where telehealth can make your life easier.

At NextClinic, we’re an Australian telehealth service providing:

• Online medical certificates for work – including for mental health reasons, when a doctor finds you unfit for work
• Telehealth consultations with Australian-registered doctors
• Online prescriptions and specialist referrals where clinically appropriate

You can read more about our services here:

• Medical Certificate for Work
• Telehealth Consultation

Here’s how we can help specifically with burnout and workplace stress:

1. Talking through your symptoms

You complete a short online questionnaire, and one of our Australian-registered doctors will call you (usually within an hour during operating times). You can describe exactly what you’ve been experiencing — the exhaustion, sleep issues, emotional strain, difficulties at work.

1. Clinical assessment

The doctor will assess whether your symptoms are compatible with burnout, anxiety, depression or something else, and whether you’re currently fit for work. If they feel you need time off to recover, they can provide a medical certificate recommending mental health leave.

1. Medical certificate for sick leave

If issued, your certificate will confirm you’re unfit for work for a specified period. It won’t list your diagnosis — just that you have a medical condition, protecting your privacy while still giving your employer the documentation they need.

1. Further treatment and referrals

Depending on your situation, our doctors may also:

• Provide short-term treatment options (for example, for sleep or anxiety), where appropriate
• Recommend follow-up with your regular GP or a psychologist
• Offer a referral to a psychiatrist or other specialist if clinically indicated

Importantly, our role is not to hand out certificates on demand, but to carefully assess your health and support you to do what’s safest and healthiest for you — just as an in-person clinic would, but without the extra stress of leaving home.

Final thoughts: Listen to the signs your body is sending

Let’s recap the key takeaways:

• Burnout is more than being tired — it’s a recognised syndrome triggered by chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been managed well.
• In Australia, burnout is common. Most employees report some level of burnout or mental distress linked to work, and psychological injuries now make up a growing share of workers’ compensation claims.
• The 5 big signs you’re too burned out to work include:
  1. Constant exhaustion that rest doesn’t fix
  2. Dread, cynicism or emotional detachment toward your job
  3. Concentration and performance problems that weren’t there before
  4. Physical symptoms like headaches, stomach issues or sleep problems
  5. Your life outside work shrinking or spiralling because you have nothing left
• In Australia, it is acceptable to use sick leave for stress, burnout or other mental health issues, as long as you’re unfit for work and follow the usual notice and evidence rules.
• You don’t have to do any of this alone — support is available through your GP, mental health services, helplines, EAPs and telehealth providers like us.

Your body and mind are constantly sending you information. If you recognise yourself in these signs of burnout, that’s not a character flaw — it’s early warning.

Your challenge this week

Choose one concrete action to protect your mental health in the next seven days. For example, you might:

• Book a telehealth or in-person appointment with a doctor to discuss your stress
• Take one proper lunch break each workday, away from your desk
• Have an honest chat with a trusted colleague, friend or partner about how you’re feeling
• Turn off work notifications after hours every night this week
• Finally use that personal leave day to rest, not run errands

Then, if you feel comfortable, share in the comments:

• Which strategy you chose, and
• How it affected your stress or burnout symptoms

Your story might be exactly what another burnt-out Aussie needs to read to finally put their health first.

And if you need support with a medical certificate or a low-stress way to talk to a doctor about burnout, we’re here to help at NextClinic — so you can step back, recover and return to work when you’re genuinely ready.

References

• Over 3 in 5 Australian employees suffer from burnout: report | HRD Australia
• Burn-out an "occupational phenomenon": International Classification of Diseases
• Over half of Australians experience mental distress due to work, report finds | HRD Australia
• New report on psychological health in Australian workplaces | Safe Work Australia
• Mental health | Safe Work Australia
• Work-life balance | healthdirect
• When can you take 'stress leave', and can you be compensated for it? - ABC News
• Can you take sick leave for a mental health day?
• Health and wellbeing support - Fair Work Ombudsman
• Booster Breaks
• Create a mentally healthy workplace | business.gov.au
• Get Work Medical Certificates Online | NextClinic

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