Burnout is a common experience for many of us, extending beyond mere fatigue from working on a major project or feeling tired after a stressful workday.

The military introduced the acronym VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) to depict war's chaotic and challenging nature. However, civilians also grapple with adapting to a world of constant change and mounting expectations. Burnout is a pervasive issue that affects people from different professional backgrounds. For physicians, in particular, burnout poses a threat not only to their well-being but also to the health of their patients. Exhausted doctors are more prone to making medical errors.

There are three critical signs of burnout. The first one is profound fatigue. Individuals usually suffer from it after working long hours. This can lead to severe discomfort, sleep disorders, headaches, deep anxiety, and depression. The second indicator is cynicism, causing people to appear less empathetic and more skeptical. They may become easily irritated by coworkers and experience overwhelming nervousness and fear of social interactions. The last sign is a defeatist attitude that dwindles enthusiasm and reduces motivation. Thus, a person loses passion for their work.