Feeling like your battery won’t recharge no matter what you do? This test helps you recognize possible signs of burnout and understand where you stand right now.
Your result
Your score: 15–30 points
Your stress level appears healthy. You have plenty of energy and your recovery capacity is intact. Of course, everyone feels tired sometimes — but your battery recharges when you rest.
Tip: Keep taking good care of yourself. Protect your boundaries and hold on to the habits that keep you energized.
Your score: 31–45 points
You’re in the danger zone. You’re experiencing clear stress symptoms and your reserves are running low. You haven’t fully burned out yet, but if you continue at this pace, burnout is a real risk.
Tip: Hit the brakes now. Talk to your manager or a trusted person about your workload. Build in more recovery time and consider seeing your doctor or occupational health provider before things get worse.
Your score: 46–60 points
The symptoms you’re describing strongly suggest burnout. You’re emotionally and physically exhausted, you feel detached from things that used to matter, and your ability to function is severely reduced. Your battery is empty — and rest alone isn’t recharging it.
Tip: Take this seriously. Step back from obligations where you can and make an appointment with your doctor. Recovery from burnout requires real rest, time, and professional support — it won’t resolve itself over a long weekend.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of burnout?
Burnout doesn't develop overnight. The early signs are often subtle: poor sleep, a constant sense of urgency, irritability, and forgetfulness. Physically, you might notice headaches, neck pain, or dizziness. A key indicator is waking up unrefreshed — even after a full night's sleep or a day off.
What's the difference between being overstressed and having burnout?
The difference lies in duration and depth. Overextension is short-term overload — remove the stressor, and you recover relatively quickly. Burnout is the end stage of prolonged exhaustion. Your stress hormone system becomes dysregulated and your reserves are genuinely depleted. Recovery from burnout takes far longer — months, sometimes over a year.
Am I depressed or do I have burnout?
There's significant overlap — sadness, lack of motivation, withdrawal — but an important distinction exists. Someone with depression often sees no point in doing things at all. Someone with burnout typically still wants to do things, but physically and mentally can't. The willpower is there; the energy isn't. With burnout, exhaustion leads; with depression, mood does.
How long does burnout recovery take?
Recovery varies by person, but on average takes 6 to 12 months. The process moves through three phases: rest and acceptance (physical recovery), understanding the root causes (why did this happen?), and gradual reintegration. Returning too quickly is one of the most common reasons for relapse.
What should I do if I think I have burnout?
Stop pushing through. Make an appointment with your doctor to rule out other causes and discuss next steps. Inform your employer. Seek professional support — through a therapist, counselor, or occupational health provider. Accepting that you need rest right now is not weakness; it's the first real step toward recovery.
