Signs Your Professional Life Is Taking a Toll on Your Wellbeing

In today’s world of relentless emails, Zoom calls, and always being "on," it’s no surprise that many professionals in the UK are feeling overwhelmed. Whether you're working in finance in the City, managing a busy NHS team, or juggling projects in a fast-paced tech firm, the constant pressure can creep up on you without warning. It’s no surprise that many professionals in the UK are feeling overwhelmed.

But how do you know when the normal stresses of working life are turning into something more serious?

Spotting the early warning signs that your professional life is affecting your wellbeing is essential. It could be the difference between taking proactive steps towards balance or sliding into burnout. At ReFresh Coaching, we help individuals recognise these red flags early and build practical strategies for long-term wellbeing.

Understanding Stress vs. Burnout

What Is ‘Acute’ Stress in a Professional Context?

Stress, in small doses, isn’t always bad. It can motivate us to meet a deadline or ace a presentation. But acute stress becomes problematic when it's frequent and intense. You might notice:

• A racing heart before every meeting

• Sleepless nights thinking about work

• Sunday night dread that starts Saturday morning

When Stress Becomes Chronic Burnout

Burnout is a different beast entirely. It's not just a bad day or week; it’s a long-term state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. If you feel like you're constantly running on empty, dreading the day ahead and emotionally flat or detached, burnout might be knocking.

Early Warning Signs of Overwhelm

Persistent Fatigue Despite ‘Enough’ Sleep

Even if you’re clocking in 7-8 hours of sleep, you might still wake up feeling drained. Mental fatigue is different from physical tiredness and often lingers even after rest.

Heightened Irritability and Short Temper

Snapping at colleagues over minor issues? Becoming uncharacteristically impatient with your partner or children? These could be signs that your emotional bandwidth is depleted.

Brain Fog and Decreased Concentration

You might find yourself re-reading emails multiple times, zoning out during meetings, or struggling to organise your thoughts. It’s more than just a distraction – it’s cognitive overload.

Physical and Emotional Red Flags

Frequent Headaches or Muscle Tension

Tension tends to accumulate in the body, especially in the neck, shoulders and jaw. Recurring headaches or unexplained aches are often stress-related.

Changes in Appetite or Weight Fluctuations

Stress can mess with your appetite. You might find yourself bingeing on snacks to cope or losing interest in food altogether.

Emotional Flatness or Over-Reactivity

If you’re swinging between emotional numbness and outbursts of anger or tears, it may be your body’s way of signalling it’s had enough.

Impact on Professional Performance

According to Mental Health UK’s Burnout Report 2025, over one in five UK adults (21%) took time off work in the past year due to stress-related mental health issues. This stark statistic highlights the widespread impact of unchecked workplace stress.

Declining Productivity and Motivation

Tasks that once felt manageable now feel like climbing a mountain. You might procrastinate more, miss deadlines, or feel generally disinterested in your role.

Impaired Decision-Making

Stress narrows our focus and clouds judgment. You might second-guess yourself constantly or struggle to make even minor choices.

Strained Workplace Relationships

You might withdraw from colleagues, avoid collaboration, or find conflict bubbling up more frequently. Communication often suffers when we’re not at our best mentally.

When to Reach Out for Coaching Support

Self-Assessment Checklist

Tick off any of the below that resonate:

• I regularly feel drained even after rest

• I’m more irritable than usual

• I struggle to concentrate at work

• I’ve lost interest in things I used to enjoy

• I often feel like I’m just going through the motions

If you ticked more than one, it might be time to consider support.

How ReFresh Coaching Helps

At ReFresh Coaching, we offer one-to-one sessions tailored to professionals who want to regain clarity, build resilience, and avoid burnout. Whether you're dealing with executive stress or a creeping sense of overwhelm, we work alongside you to create lasting change.

Group coaching options are also available for organisations or teams looking to support mental wellbeing together.

Next Steps

• Book a free 15-minute discovery call to explore whether coaching is right for you.

Conclusion

Stress is part of modern working life, but suffering in silence doesn’t have to be. The earlier you notice the signs, the easier it is to turn things around.

You deserve to thrive—not just survive—in your career.

Ready to take control of your mental wellbeing? Book your free discovery session now or learn more about our One-to-One Coaching.