Emotional exhaustion can arise when someone experiences a period of excessive stress in their work or personal life. Doctors may recommend lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication to manage stress and exhaustion.

Emotional exhaustion can make a person feel emotionally drained, overwhelmed, and fatigued. These feelings may build up over a long period, and people may not notice the early warning signs.

This can significantly affect a person’s everyday life, relationships, and behavior. However, lifestyle changes and management strategies can help individuals feel better.

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Emotional exhaustion causes physical and emotional effects that, in turn, can affect a person’s behavior. The symptoms can build up over time and with repeated stress, though people may not recognize the early warnings.

Those experiencing emotional exhaustion may encounter the following symptoms:

Emotional issues can also present in physical ways, such as:

Effects on work and personal relationships

Physical, emotional, and cognitive changes can affect a person’s relationships and ability to function in their home and workplace. People with emotional exhaustion may experience the following effects:

  • less ability to connect with others on a personal or emotional level
  • increased rates of absence from work
  • a lack of enthusiasm in work and personal life
  • low self-esteem
  • missed deadlines
  • changes in work performance
  • social withdrawal from others

Emotional exhaustion may occur after a period of stress. However, different factors can contribute to emotional exhaustion in people, depending on a person’s tolerance for stress and other factors in their lives at the time.

Examples of things that may trigger emotional exhaustion include:

  • going through a significant life change, such as divorce or the death of a loved one
  • being a caregiver
  • financial stress
  • having a baby or raising children
  • homelessness
  • juggling several responsibilities at once, such as work, family, and school
  • living with a chronic medical condition
  • working long hours
  • working in a high-pressure environment

Emotional exhaustion may occur if someone feels overwhelmed by factors in their life. They may believe they lack control over their life or may not be able to practice self-care.

Anyone can experience emotional exhaustion, especially if they live with long-term stress or have recently experienced a significant change in their lives.

However, some people may be more at risk than others, including those who experience the following:

Demanding jobs or situations

Those in demanding or stressful jobs may be more likely to experience emotional exhaustion and burnout than others.

A 2020 analysis suggests that people in jobs at risk of involving secondary trauma may be more likely to experience emotional exhaustion and related mental health issues. Examples of workers at risk of secondary trauma include:

  • social workers
  • healthcare professionals
  • firefighters
  • police officers

However, emotional exhaustion due to workplace demands is not limited to people in these careers.

Researchers in a 2024 study associated increased mental effort during a person’s morning commute with emotional exhaustion upon arrival at work.

A 2024 research article also highlights that although most research links emotional exhaustion to the workplace, it is becoming a bigger issue in academic situations, such as for university students.

Perfectionism

Individuals who strive for what they see as perfection in one or more areas of their lives may experience emotional exhaustion and burnout.

For example, a 2022 studyTrusted Source states that high self-critical perfectionism was a predictor for emotional exhaustion among physicians.

Perfectionists may put themselves under excessive stress by taking on more than they can comfortably manage.

Loneliness

A 2022 study suggests that workplace loneliness contributed to feelings of emotional exhaustion among hotel employees.

People without many close relationships may have fewer individuals with whom to share their feelings.

A lack of self-care

A 2024 study suggests that self-care behaviors are a coping strategy that may make medical students less prone to burnout and emotional exhaustion.

Self-care methods may involve:

  • socializing with others
  • following a balanced diet
  • taking part in leisure activities
  • attending stress-reduction workshops

Psychologists first began using the term “burnout” in the 1970s to describe the effects of severe stress on “helping” professionals, such as doctors and nurses.

Although burnout is not a medical condition, the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) states that it involvesTrusted Source:

  • reduced results at work
  • feelings of exhaustion or no energy
  • increased mental distance from a person’s job or negative feelings toward their job

According to the ICD-11, burnout specifically applies to the workplace and not other areas of a person’s life.

To reduce emotional exhaustion and burnout, people may need to make lifestyle changes. In some cases, they may require medications or therapy. Tips to aid recovery include:

  • Reducing stress: This may involve taking on fewer tasks, delegating to others, and asking for help. Stress management strategies, such as meditation, may also help.
  • Making more positive lifestyle choices: Optimal lifestyle choices, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a regular sleep routine, may help improve a person’s mental health.
  • Maintaining a work-life balance: People can try not to let workplace responsibilities take over their lives. Planning regular vacations, rest days, and scheduled breaks throughout the day may improve feelings of emotional exhaustion.
  • Connecting with others: Meeting up with a friend, joining a club or walking group, and reaching out to family and neighbors are all ways of connecting socially.
  • Making attitude changes: People can aim to replace negative thoughts with more positive and realistic ones. They can also try to avoid comparisons with others and remember that unhelpful feelings will pass with time.

In some cases, these tips may not be enough to help a person manage their feelings of emotional exhaustion. In these cases, they may benefit from speaking with a healthcare professional.

Therapy can be an effective way to help people manage feelings of emotional exhaustion. A therapist can help people work through stress, anxiety, and depression. They can also help individuals challenge negative thoughts and develop new coping skills.

Sometimes, a doctor may prescribe medication to treat depression or anxiety, such as antidepressants, anxiety medications, or medications to help sleep.

Management strategies for emotional exhaustion may also help prevent it from occurring in the first place. These self-care strategies include:

  • reducing stressors at home and work
  • engaging in enjoyable activities
  • taking time out for oneself
  • eating a balanced diet
  • exercising regularly
  • getting enough sleep
  • maintaining an optimal work-life balance
  • connecting with friends, family, and others
  • keeping a positive mindset
  • practicing mindfulness and meditation
  • seeking professional help at the onset of anxiety or other changes in mood

People can experience emotional exhaustion after a period of excessive stress. This may include increased responsibility at work or school or a stressful life event.

It can have wide-ranging effects on a person’s physical and mental health, careers, and relationships with others. People experiencing emotional exhaustion may feel depressed, angry, or have difficulty sleeping.

Lifestyle changes and stress reduction methods, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and meditation, may help people manage emotional exhaustion.