Workload is a Stressor
Workload—having too much to do in too little time—is a major cause of burnout. When managed poorly, it can lead to exhaustion, reduced productivity, and harm to overall well-being. However, workload isn’t always negative. It can be viewed in two ways:
- Threatening Stressor: Overwhelms employees when demands exceed their capacity.
- Challenge Stressor: Motivates individuals to perform at their best.
For instance, when tasks pile up without enough time or support, it creates stress and may lead to burnout. On the other hand, some professionals see a heavy workload as an opportunity to grow and prove their abilities.
Burnout typically occurs when job demands are high and the resources to manage them are low. It manifests as exhaustion, mental distance, and difficulty completing work effectively.
The Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory
To better understand workload and burnout, let’s explore the Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory. This theory explains how individuals protect their limited resources—like energy, time, and emotional reserves—especially during stressful times. Here’s how it works:
- Resource Loss: Heavy workloads with little control can drain energy, making it harder to cope.
- Resource Gain: Support, flexibility, or breaks can restore resources and resilience.
- Loss or Gain Spirals: A loss of resources creates a negative spiral, while gaining resources builds a positive cycle of recovery and well-being. Resource loss is more powerful than resource gain. Your wins, though important, fade faster than the losses.
Think of times when you’ve felt like saying, “I just can’t anymore”—that’s a resource loss spiral. Ask the right questions before you take on a new project and conserve your resources.

Understanding Workload
Before labeling workload as “the” problem, it’s important to understand what we mean by it. Many professionals cite workload as their top issue, but what exactly are they referring to? Workload can be understood in three ways:
- Perceived Workload: This is how heavy or overwhelming the work feels to you. It’s all about how stressed you feel, even if the actual tasks aren’t that many.
- Prescribed Workload: This is the work your boss or company officially says you should do. It’s what’s listed in your job description or what’s expected of you on paper.
- Actual Workload: This is the real work you end up doing day to day, which might end up being more than what was actually assigned to you. It includes everything you take on, whether planned or not.
Clarifying these distinctions allows us to identify the root cause of the issue and develop targeted solutions, rather than addressing “workload” as a vague concept. This understanding leads to more effective problem-solving and solutions tailored to individual or team needs.
Post-Work Irritability and the Need for Recovery (NFR)
When work piles up, many of us experience post-work irritability—a common sign of insufficient recovery after a demanding day. You may feel easily frustrated, annoyed, or on edge after work. When employees don’t get enough rest or downtime, their mental and emotional reserves become depleted, making them more prone to irritability.
This irritability is a direct result of fatigue. The energy needed to cope with work demands has been drained, and there hasn’t been enough time to replenish it. When the Need for Recovery (NFR) isn’t met, it becomes harder to disconnect from work and fully relax.
Mental exhaustion, especially after a long workday, may leave your brain still in “work mode,” processing tasks and decisions. Without proper recovery, this ongoing mental strain triggers irritability. Additionally, physical demands, such as prolonged sitting or manual labor, can cause bodily fatigue, and emotional labor—like managing customer complaints or team dynamics—can further deplete energy. Without recovery, the emotional toll makes it difficult to engage positively in personal activities.
If NFR is not addressed, irritability signals that more rest is needed. Over time, insufficient recovery can lead to chronic stress, reduced job satisfaction, and burnout.
If you’ve experienced any of the following, you may need better recovery strategies:
- “I find it hard to relax at the end of a working day.”
- “By the end of the day, I feel really worn out.”
- “I need more than an hour to feel fully recovered after work.”
Practical Tips for Handling Workload Stress
- Know the Difference Between Capacity and Capability: Understand your limits and communicate them clearly. Know when your workload exceeds your capacity and negotiate for support or resources. Be honest and confident about your “No’s”! Learn. more about capacity vs capability in this video.
- Categorize Workload: Break down tasks into perceived, prescribed, and actual workload categories. Keep a running list to help clarify scope and available resources when discussing workload with your boss.
- Tradeoff or Exchange: If your boss expects you to handle everything, learn how to negotiate. If you’re feeling stretched too thin, ask your boss what THEY think is important and what can be removed in order to make room for the new tasks. What can you delegate or give up before taking on additional responsibilities?
- Use Templates: Save time by reusing email, document, and task templates.
- Manage Meeting Fatigue: Meetings can drain energy. If you can block off non-meeting hours for focused work (at least once a week). If possible, keep meetings to 45-50 minutes, allowing for a short recovery window.
- BONUS: Boost your workday with a Daily DOSE of wellness—Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins! Your brain (and workload) will thank you.

You Don't Have to Burnout
Managing workload effectively is key to avoiding burnout and fostering long-term well-being. By understanding the nature of your workload—whether it’s perceived, prescribed, or actual—and identifying when you’re in a resource loss spiral, you can take steps to restore balance. Incorporating recovery strategies, setting boundaries, and knowing when to negotiate are essential for maintaining energy, focus, and emotional resilience.
Research shows that social resources, such as workplace commitment, teamwork, and recognition from supervisors, can moderate the relationship between workload and burnout. A strong working team and a sense of workplace commitment significantly reduce burnout, especially when workload increases, reinforcing the importance of social support in high-demand environments. Recognition, resilience, and self-care also emerged as crucial factors in mitigating burnout.
Remember, it’s not just about managing tasks; it’s about managing your energy, well-being, and support systems. By being proactive and strategic, you can turn a heavy workload into a challenge that fuels growth rather than leading to exhaustion.
Written By: Sumana Jeddy
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