How to Tell the Difference Between Jet Lag and Burnout

Burnout and jet lag are different conditions, but they have a lot of the same symptoms. Have you ever wondered which one you are currently facing? Click through the slideshow for more information and tips on how to tell the difference between jet lag and burnout. Note: This is not medical advice. Always speak to your doctor about your concerns.

Jet lag is a sleep problem that typically resolves quickly. It happens when you travel across three or more time zones. This is when your body is used to waking up at a certain hour and can't because of the time differences. It's super common during long vacations. For example, let's say it's 5 p.m. when you are vacationing, but back home, it's past midnight. You're likely going to feel drowsy.

Some common symptoms/signs of jet lag are:

• Drowsiness
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Upset stomach
• Headaches
• Overall fogginess

Treating jet lag is simple. You just need to get your body used to your new schedule. However, it's easier to prevent the problem than it is to fix it. To prevent jet lag, it's best to sleep a little earlier or later beforehand. According to the CDC, if you're traveling west, you'll want to go to bed 1 to 2 hours later than you usually do. If you're traveling east, you'll want to do the opposite.

Your work doesn't stop when you're traveling. To prevent the effects of jet lag while already on vacation, you should eat smaller meals and drink a lot of water. It's also important to avoid or decrease your caffeine consumption. Naps are also crucial! However, your naps shouldn't be longer than 15 to 25 minutes.

Although fatigue and exhaustion are common during jet lag, burnout is a very different problem. It isn't an illness, but can cause illnesses and bigger issues if not remedied. Burnout is a type of exhaustion and fatigue that lasts a long time and is connected to our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Burnout has a lot of causes. It's going to vary from person to person. Burnout is caused by overall stress and emotional/mental burdens. You can feel burnout when working a job for too many days or hours. Not only is working 6 or 7 days a week exhausting, but mentally taxing. Things like breakups, divorces, death of loved ones, and school can also cause burnout.

Not sure if you are struggling with burnout? Here are a few common symptoms, apart from exhaustion and fatigue.

• Alienation
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Lack of motivation
• Reduced performance
• Lack of appetite
• Over appetite
• Headaches
• Body chills
• Muscle aches

Treating burnout takes a few extra steps compared to jet lag. While both are just as common, burnout is more serious as it doesn't go away on its own.

To treat your burnout, you need to create a stress-free environment. Identify your stressors. Is it your work? Are you working too many hours? If yes, you'll need to talk with your manager to create a better schedule to get the right amount of sleep.

While identifying your stressors, try and keep track or create a limit. Knowing your limits can lower your chance of feeling burnout again because you can plan around it.

Apart from this, you can try a relaxing activity. Force yourself to meditate, do yoga, color, listen to music, or knit.

Lastly, you don't have to experience burnout alone. It's harder to get out of these feelings by yourself. Surround yourself with your support system. Lean on your loved ones and talk to them.

Burnout has some serious effects, which is why it's so important to take care of it quickly. If you are constantly burned out, this means you are lacking sleep, a healthy diet, and movement. All of this combined can cause high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, acne, type 2 diabetes, migraines, digestive issues, and heart disease.

So, how can you tell the difference between these two? The biggest difference is the cause. Jet lag is caused by traveling to a different time zone. Even just four hours can make a difference. Your body takes time to get used to a new schedule.

Burnout is caused by intense stress that lasts a long time. This causes feelings of hopelessness, exhaustion, and a lack of energy. It also lasts longer than jet lag. According to Harvard Health, jet lag is a mild problem that goes away within several days. Burnout lasts significantly longer. You can feel this way for weeks or years.