How to Know the Difference Between Burnout and Covid Fatigue

by Judy Klipin

What’s the difference between Covid (or Quarantine) Fatigue and Burnout?

Their genesis.

We get burnout when we push ourselves (over and over) to do things that are wrong for us; we take on too much, rest too little and pretend to be okay when we are anything but. Burnout is a consequence of not having strong and clear boundaries, of wanting to please others at our own expense, of pushing ourselves to the brink in our quest to be noticed, appreciated and valued.

Covid Fatigue is a response to the ongoing anxiety, stress and overwhelm that is precipitated by the Covid-19 Pandemic. It is not something that we have had any part in contracting – it is a consequence of a situation that has been imposed upon us and that we have limited choice and control over.

But while the underlying causes of our suffering may differ, how we feel is very similar.

Our emotions have become amplified and erratic. What used to irritate now enrages, what used to be a slight worry now turns into panic.
Our concentration is impacted.
We crave sugar, carbs and caffeine.
We are withdrawing from relationships.
We are sleeping less (or more) and what sleep we do get is not refreshing.
We feel tired all the time and minor physical or mental exertion is exhausting.
The anguish and suffering we see all around us is overwhelming.

Our ability to enjoy and feel satisfied with our lives, in all areas, is compromised by both of these conditions. What used to feel meaningful and exciting begins to feel pointless and boring.

In my book Recover from Burnout I describe burnout as an existential emergency: “…it isn’t just a feeling of exhaustion, being overwhelmed and extremely stressed and anxious….it’s also a feeling of listlessness and ineptitude, a lack of enthusiasm and excitement”.

What we are experiencing now – this thing that I call Covid Fatigue and some call quarantine fatigue – is also an existential emergency. We are questioning everything we have ever known or expected of and from the world and ourselves. It is stressful, frightening, exhausting and overwhelming and it is making us feel just as we do when we have burnout.

And, just like burnout, it is important to respond as quickly as possible in order to avoid a progression into more serious physical and emotional conditions such as diabetes, depression or divorce. We need to intervene and offer support sooner rather than later if we are to maintain our own health and well-being, and the health and well-being of the people around us, so that we don’t have to put lots of resources into recovery and rehabilitation later down the line.

There are not many silver linings to this dark cloud of pandemic, but one of them is that what we know about managing and treating burnout can be applied to managing and treating Covid Fatigue.

We need to ask for help whenever and wherever we can.
We need to push ourselves less and rest more.
We need to be kind to ourselves.

Wherever and whenever possible, we need to show ourselves and everyone around us compassion and care. We need to lower our expectations and allow ourselves to celebrate just surviving.

If you are in the grips of Burnout or Covid Fatigue – or both – Recover From Burnout provides easy, practical and effective tools and tips to get your health and wellness back on track. You can also consider signing up for Covid Fatigue Support Coaching.

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