It’s easy to blame heavy workloads, unclear expectations, or difficult managers for workplace stress—and often, they are the problem. But there’s another side that isn’t talked about enough: the internal causes.

When your role doesn’t fit your values, or when self-doubt creeps in and you feel underqualified, the result can be just as damaging as any external pressure. Working on them can be the most powerful way to reduce anxiety and stress for good.

Most advice reduces burnout to stress and exhaustion — but that’s only part of the story. Burnout symptoms often begin as subtle signs that your work no longer fits who you are. When your role, values, or needs are out of sync with your workplace, small cracks can grow into full burnout.

This article explores the early warning signs of burnout, when to act, and the deeper causes that often get overlooked.