ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Burnout (psychology)

Burnout is when you feel very tired or exhausted from doing the same thing over and over again. It can happen when you have been working too hard without taking any breaks or when you feel like your work is not appreciated. Burnout can affect anyone, including adults, and it can happen in school or at work.

Imagine you have a toy car that you love to play with. You play with it every day, for hours and hours. After a while, you start to get bored with it, and you feel like you do not want to play with it anymore. That is what burnout feels like.

When we do something for a long time, we can stop enjoying it, and it can make us feel sad, angry, or overwhelmed. If we do not take a break or change our routine, we can start to feel more and more tired, and it can become harder to do the things we used to love.

That is why it is essential to recognize when we are feeling burned out and do something about it. Taking breaks and doing things we enjoy can help prevent burnout. It is also important to talk to someone about how we feel, like a friend, family member, or a trusted adult.

Remember, it is okay to take a break, and it does not mean we are weak. Taking care of ourselves is essential, and it can help us feel happier and more energized.