If you’re burnt out and you know it, take a break! *clap clap*

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It’s not that simple, but breaks are good. They clear your head. Might even release some feel-good neurotransmitters and hormones like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins — all the nice stuff.

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Speaking of neurotransmitters. Did you know that there’s an exact science behind burnout?

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Burnout is your brain telling you it’s fried. Or getting there.

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Your brain uses up to about 20% of your daily energy reserves to make sure you’re a fully functioning human being. That’s why our heads are among our hottest body parts; our brains basically work 24/7, even in our sleep. Phew!

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At work, our brains get burnt out for a number of reasons. Behold the tip of the burnout iceberg:

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Burnout creeps up on you. When it’s too late, it will manifest as a sudden urge to give up.

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The great news is you can prevent burnout and even recover from it, but you can’t do it alone. Often, it involves communicating better with a colleague, manager, therapist, or even a friend. Dumbledore in Harry Potter summed it up pretty well, “Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.”

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We’re not wizards and witches. We can’t guarantee that magic will work. But science does. Burnout is your brain’s response to stress you can’t handle.

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So ask yourself: What are your stress triggers? What are you willing to do about it? What support do you need to recover? Can your current workplace provide it?

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And to all managers or coaches out there: When helping a colleague through burnout, please partner, don’t parent! But that topic’s for another day.