Burnout is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly among younger people. Merly Kammerling of Well & Being outlines the causes and suggests some strategies.

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It’s important to know that stress alone does not cause burnout. However, if we are distressed for long periods of time (also known as chronic stress) and the pressure and demands placed upon us outweigh adequate practical and emotional support and self-care, then this is an imbalance that has a detrimental impact. For example, if you have a demanding, chaotic or repetitive job that requires high energy to remain focused, and there’s a lack of coping skills, rest and resources for you to do your work effectively or efficiently to firefight issues, then burnout is highly probable.

There is also a clear link between a lack of control and burnout. If there is an inability to influence certain parts of your job that concern you, such as your rota, workload, dysfunctional workplace dynamics and unclear work expectations, these are also common factors that place too much pressure on an individual.

A Study into Hospitality Burnout (Ali, A et Al, 2022. Preparing for the Black Swan: Reducing employee burnout in the hospitality sector through ethical leadership), a research paper on burnout within hospitality, found critical results:

 1. The study confirms that ethical leadership significantly reduces burnout in hospitality workers by fostering a culture of fairness, support and open communication.

• 2. Burnout in hospitality is driven by structural issues: long hours, emotional labour and job insecurity. These are not personal failings but industry wide challenges.

• 3. Employees who feel engaged and emotionally supported are less likely to suffer from burnout. Leadership plays a key role in fostering these conditions.

• 4. The study shows that reducing burnout improves staff retention, job performance and customer satisfaction, making it not just an ethical priority but a strategic advantage.

Fast-forward to the Burnout Report 2025, reinforcing that this ‘occupational phenomenon’ is not going away and is hitting younger workers harder – 34% of UK adults experience high stress frequently. Many suffer in silence, and trust between employers and younger workers has eroded. The percentage of 18 to 24-year-olds who would feel comfortable opening up to a line manager about pressure and stress dropped sharply from 75% in the Burnout Report 2024 to 56% in the past year.

A key aspect of burnout is increased feelings of emotional exhaustion and detachment. As emotional resources become depleted, a person can feel they can no longer give themselves at a psychological or emotional level, which can negatively impact performance and one’s ability to cope and maintain consistent relationships with others. Despite burnout being primarily recognised as a work-related concern, it does commonly coincide simultaneously with other pressures such as parenting, living with a chronic illness or navigating life-changing adversities such as grief or divorce. 

Key signs

While burnout is not a medical or mental health condition, it has been classified as a syndrome, meaning a collection of symptoms or signs associated with a specific health-related cause. Here are some core signs of burnout:

• Feeling helpless, trapped and/or defeated

• Feeling detached from one’s identity and world

• Having a cynical/negative outlook

• Self-doubt

• Feeling tired or drained most of the time

• Procrastinating and taking longer to get things done

• Prolonged feelings of overwhelm, even over things that historically have seemed easy Although it is apparent that burnout is a structural and cultural issue within hospitality and society, it is vital to acknowledge that burnout can also be a repeating pattern of behaviour that may need deeper self reflection.

The 12 stages of burnout can help us understand this common cycle: Three simple questions to ask yourself:

• Have you accepted that it’s normal to be permanently stressed?

• Are you constantly tired but finding it hard to give yourself a break

• Do you sacrifice a lot (even the things you need fundamentally, such as rest, sleep, exercise, connection with loved ones and doing the things you enjoy) to succeed at work?

If you can relate to the 12 stages of burnout and answered ‘yes’ to most of the questions above, then you may have already entered the burnout continuum. To truly prevent or recover from burnout, we must reassess our own relationships with work and create some protective boundaries and actions:

• Implement boundaries around your drains. Think about the things in your life that are draining your resources and having a negative impact on you. This could be certain people, commitments or other things that we focus on and consume, such as social media, unhealthy foods, stimulants, drugs or alcohol. Assess which factors need limitation or total elimination.

• Consider what changes could alter your wellbeing for the better. For example, a discussion with your manager regarding your current state of being could result in adjustments and support being provided. However, if a sustainable and manageable workload is not possible or you feel that you are not being taken seriously, then perhaps you need to decide for yourself whether your place of work is the right place for you and your health. Think about what YOU want and what is the best course of action for your wellbeing.

• Passive vs active rest: To effectively combat burnout, a combination of quality sleep (passive rest) and incorporating active rest is important. Active rest is a way to rest your body while still being slightly active, such as yoga, walking and swimming. Listen to your body and choose active rest activities that feel restorative and, where possible, avoid pushing yourself too hard

• Spend time with you. Burnout can completely detach a person from their identity and what’s important. Try to find ways to reconnect to your sense of self. Rest, reflect, reconnect with loved ones and find time for enjoyment and laughter.

• Seek support; you are not alone. Talk to people who can support you, such as colleagues, friends or loved ones, about what you are going through. Or speak with a professional to develop a comprehensive recovery plan. Burnout is a normal physiological reaction when we push ourselves too far. Our mind and body are simply trying to tell us that something isn’t right and needs to be addressed. The good news is that burnout is reversible. However, it takes deliberate action and time as it will not go away without consideration and adjustments. 

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Merly is the founder of Well & Being. Well & Being runs hospitality-specific Burnout Prevention & Recovery training for businesses. Visit wellandbeing.co.uk. To see the full Burnout 2025 Report, visit mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/