Everyone has bad days at work, and problems with our workload, role, organization, or personal life can be difficult. For most of us, stress is an unavoidable part of work that comes and goes. In fact, a little stress can sometimes help us focus and perform at our best. But what if every workday is a bad day? When work-related stress becomes too great or goes on for too long, it can lead to serious problems. ‘Burnout’ describes what happens when we feel so depleted by the stresses of work that we struggle to perform. It’s as if our energy for work is ‘extinguished’ by prolonged stress, leaving us feeling emotionally drained, unmotivated, and ineffective.