Emotional exhaustion can have significant impacts on a person's everyday life, relationships, and behavior. Let's review the symptoms, causes, and risk factors of emotional exhaustion, and the ways it can be treated and prevented from happening.

What causes emotional exhaustion?

Prolonged or extreme stress can trigger emotional exhaustion. Emotional exhaustion usually arises after a period of stress. Different elements can contribute to emotional exhaustion in people, depending on a person's tolerance for stress and other factors in their lives at the time.

Emotional exhaustion can be triggered by some of the following:

• Going through a significant life change, such as divorce or death of a loved one
• Being a caregiver
• Experiencing financial stress
• Having a baby or raising children
• Being homeless
• Juggling several things at once, such as work, family, and school
• Living with a chronic medical condition
• Working long hours
• Working in a high-pressure environment
• Workplace trauma and bullying

Typically, emotional exhaustion occurs if someone feels overwhelmed by factors in their life. They may believe they have a lack of control over their life or they may not be correctly balancing self-care with life's demands.

Symptoms of Emotional Exhaustion

Emotional exhaustion causes both physical and psychological 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.

Looking out for and recognizing the symptoms of emotional exhaustion in oneself and others are necessary so that a person can start taking steps toward feeling better.

Here, we discuss some common symptoms of emotional exhaustion:

1. Changing Mood

Emotional exhaustion affects a person's mood and mental health.

People may initially notice that they are feeling more cynical or pessimistic than usual. They may lose their motivation to work, socialize, or perform simple tasks.

Eventually, these feelings can become stronger and cause individuals to feel trapped or disconnected.

Emotional exhaustion can lead to feelings of:

• Anger and irritability
• Anxiety
• Apathy
• Depression
• Failure
• Lack of motivation
• Hopelessness
• Pessimism

People who experience anxiety, depression, and thoughts of self-harm should seek help from a doctor or therapist as soon as possible.

2. Difficulty Thinking

Emotionally exhausted individuals may experience changes in thinking and memory. Some people refer to these symptoms as "brain fog." They include:

• Confusion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Forgetfulness
• Lack of imagination
• Loss of memory

Research suggests that burnout, which involves emotional exhaustion, is linked to a decline in three main cognitive areas:

1. Executive function, such as planning and organizing
2. Attention
3. Memory

Cognitive changes can be especially challenging when a person is trying to juggle stressful situations, including work pressure or emotionally demanding tasks. 

3. Physical changes

Emotional issues can manifest themselves in physical ways, including:

• Changes in appetite
• Digestive problems
• Headaches
• Heart palpitations
• Weight loss or gain

4. Sleeping Difficulties

During stressful periods of life, it can be challenging to maintain a regular sleeping pattern.

People with emotional exhaustion also feel physically fatigued and may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep at night. Otherwise, they may oversleep in the morning.

Low mood and brain fog can make it difficult to get out of bed in the morning or to make it through the day.

5. Effects on Work and Personal Relationships

Physical, emotional, and cognitive changes can affect a person's relationships, and their ability to function in their home and workplace, such as:

• 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
• Poor work performance
• Social withdrawal from others

Who is at Risk for Developing Emotional Exhaustion?

Anyone can experience emotional exhaustion, especially if they live with long-term stress or if they have recently experienced a significant change in their lives. Some people are more at risk than others, including people who experience what's listed below.

1. A Demanding or Stressful Job

People with demanding jobs, such as nurses, are at risk of emotional exhaustion. Those in demanding or stressful jobs are more likely to experience emotional exhaustion and burnout than others.

Research suggests that people with high work demands and those who are preoccupied with thoughts about work during leisure time are at high risk of developing emotional exhaustion.

Police officers, nurses, social workers, and teachers may also be more at risk than others.

The risk of emotional exhaustion increases for anyone who:

• Works in a job they dislike
• Has a poor job fit
• Works long hours
• Feels a lack of control at work

2. Perfectionism

Individuals who strive for what they see as "perfection" in one or more areas of their lives often experience emotional exhaustion and burnout. Many studies have linked perfectionism as being a risk factor for such conditions. Perfectionists are more likely to put themselves under excessive stress by taking on more than they can comfortably manage.

3. Loneliness

Loneliness may increase feelings of emotional exhaustion and burnout. Individuals without many close relationships may have fewer people with whom to share their opinions.

Fostering social relationships may help people lessen the harmful effects of burnout, potentially, by promoting resilience and a sense of greater well-being.

4. Poor Self-Care

People who do not prioritize their well-being may be more prone to emotional exhaustion. This can include those who do not get enough exercise, sleep, or healthful foods.

For example, some research links insufficient sleep with a greater risk of burnout.

Excessive use of alcohol or illicit drugs may also increase risk, primarily if people use these instead of more effective coping techniques.

5. Other factors

Individuals may be more likely to experience emotional exhaustion if they:

• Use harmful coping strategies, such as drugs or alcohol, to deal with stress
• Feel they have too few personal resources, such as status, money, or support
• Live or work in a culture that does not value their freedom of expression
• They are being sexually assaulted or bullied at work
• Experience discrimination on a daily basis

Emotional Exhaustion and Burnout

Psychologists define "burnout" as results of chronic stress on anyone. No clear definition of burnout exists. Emotional exhaustion is one of the symptoms of burnout.

The other two are:

1. Alienation from work activities. Those with burnout become increasingly more stressed about their work. They may feel less committed to their organization, and they may distance themselves emotionally from colleagues.
2. Reduced performance. Burnout causes cynicism and feelings of negativity about work-related tasks. Coupled with emotional exhaustion, this leads those with burnout to miss deadlines and otherwise perform poorly at work.

What Can You Do If You Are Emotionally Exhausted?

Reducing emotional exhaustion and burnout typically requires lifestyle changes. In some cases, medications or therapy are advisable.

1. Reduce Stress

Where possible, you should try to reduce sources of stress. Take on fewer tasks, delegate to others, and ask for help. Another option to consider is moving to a different role or organization, if work is a significant source of stress.

2. See a Therapist, Psychiatrist, or Medical Professional

Therapy can be an effective way to treat emotional exhaustion. A therapist can help people work through stress, anxiety, and depression. They can help individuals challenge negative thoughts and equip them with new coping skills.

Sometimes, a doctor may recommend medication to treat depression or anxiety, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicines, or medications to help sleep.

3. Change Your Attitude

Changing your thoughts can alter your moods and behaviors. Small changes to your attitude can have a significant impact on physical and emotional well-being. Some ideas for change negative thinking include:

• Focusing on what is going right in life rather than what is not
• Replacing negative thoughts with more positive or realistic ones
• Avoiding comparisons with others
• Accepting that sometimes negative feelings occur and not fighting them
• Staying in the present rather than focusing on the past or trying to anticipate the future
• Remembering that these challenging feelings will pass

4. Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Living a healthy life can improve physical and mental health and build resilience. Some options include:

• Eat a balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean sources of protein.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink.
• Avoid tobacco smoking or stimulants like coffee.
• Exercise for 30 minutes a day, most days of the week.
• Establish a sleep routine by going to bed at the same time each night and getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep.
• Maintain a good work-life balance
• Taking a break from work to do something creative can help prevent and treat stress.
• Try not to let work or caring for a loved one take over your life and ensure you plan regular vacations and rest days.

You should take scheduled breaks throughout the day and make time for things you enjoy at least weekly. Some ideas are:

• Drawing
• Scrapbooking
• Gardening
• Reading
• Seeing a movie or live theatre
• Spending time with pets
• Going for a walk

5. Practice Mindfulness

Regular mindfulness practice or meditation can reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood. People who practice mindfulness report significantly less emotional exhaustion and more job satisfaction than those who do not use mindfulness techniques.

Learn About Mindfullness

6. Connect with Others

Social disconnection is both a symptom of and a risk factor for emotional exhaustion. To avoid emotional exhaustion and other mental health issues, people should try to connect with others whenever possible. Meeting up with a friend, joining a club or hiking group, and reaching out to family and neighbors are all great ways of connecting socially.

Prevention

Many of the treatments for emotional exhaustion can also help prevent it from occurring in the first place. Treatment options include:

• Limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco
• Getting enough sleep
• Maintaining a good work-life balance
• Connecting with friends, family, and others
• Keeping a positive mindset
• Reducing stressors at home and work
• Engaging in enjoyable activities
• Taking time out for oneself
• Eating a healthful diet
• Exercising regularly
• Practicing mindfulness and meditation
• Seeking professional help at the onset of anxiety or other changes in mood

I'll dig deeper into emotional exhaustion prevention options in a future blog post.