What to Say to Someone With Burnout That Won't Add Pressure
Jump to the 44 lines
The short answer
What to say to someone with burnout: tell them you've noticed how much they've been carrying, make it clear you don't need anything back, and offer one specific form of help. Try "You've been holding a lot for a long time. I noticed." Skip the advice about balance and self-care. They've usually heard it, and they've usually already tried.
People with burnout are often the ones everybody relies on, which means they get a lot of requests and not many real offers. Tips on setting boundaries can sound like one more thing they’re doing wrong.
So a useful message is short, and it takes something off their plate rather than adding to it. These lines were written for this site and sorted by who you’re talking to, from a friend to a coworker to a parent caring for everyone else.
If you’d like to take a chore off their list or send something over, our guide to gifts for someone with burnout starts with the free ideas.
What to Say to Someone With Burnout: 44 Lines to Copy
Written for this site. Copy one as it is, or change it until it sounds like you.
What to Say to a Friend With Burnout
You've been holding a lot for a long time. I noticed.
Here's one message that needs nothing from you.
I can do school pickup on Wednesday. Tell the school it's me, and you're done.
You don't need to be productive around me.
We can do nothing together. I'm very good at it.
I'm making too much chili on Sunday. Your share will be on the step by five.
Come over and sit. I won't ask about work unless you bring it up.
Ignore your inbox for one hour and watch this terrible show with me.
What to Say to a Coworker With Burnout at Work
I can take that report this week. Tell me where it's at and I'll handle it.
You've been carrying this team. That hasn't gone unnoticed.
You don't need to answer this until you're back.
Skip the meeting. I'll send you the two things that matter.
Nothing here is on fire. Go home.
I told them I'd cover Friday's call. It's handled, and nobody needs a reason.
Can I take one thing off your plate? Pick the one you hate most.
You've sent emails at midnight three nights running. I saw, and I'm worried.
You taught thirty kids all year and graded in your sleep. Someone should say thank you, so thank you.
What to Say to Someone Struggling With Burnout When It Gets Bad
If they've said anything about not wanting to be here, skip these lines. Ask them directly whether they're thinking about suicide, stay with them if you can, and call or text 988 together.
That sounds like far too much for one person.
It makes sense that this job has worn you out.
You aren't weak. You've been running on empty for a long time.
You don't have to decide anything about your job this week.
Hating this job lately doesn't mean you're bad at it.
This has gone on long enough that a doctor should hear about it too. Can I sit with you while you book it?
Let's make that doctor's call together this week. I'll bring lunch.
What to Say to Someone Who Is Burned Out at Home: Caregivers and Parents
You've been everyone's backup for years. Who's yours? I'm volunteering.
I've got the kids Saturday from ten to two. Go be someone nobody's calling for.
Your mom is lucky to have you, and you need an afternoon off. I can sit with her.
Nobody could do this alone, and you've been trying to.
The laundry pile is not a character test.
Send me the pharmacy run. It's on my way, or I'll make it on my way.
Short Burnout Quotes for a Card or Text
Running on fumes stopped being impressive around March.
Your calendar has seen more of you than your house has.
You are not a ticket in someone's queue.
Your worth doesn't come in billable hours.
Even the most reliable car goes to the shop.
The work will keep. You need a Sunday that's actually a Sunday.
Everybody has your number. Who calls to ask about you?
Nobody hands out medals for the fourteenth straight hour.
Funny Burnout Quotes About Work
Your out-of-office should just say no.
Let's circle back on you having a life.
Per my last email, go home.
I've declined your 4 p.m. on behalf of your spine.
Your inbox will survive. It has survived worse than you leaving at five.
If you reply to this, I'm telling HR you have feelings.
What to Say to a Friend With Burnout: Cards to Save
Save an image for a text or a post, or pin it for later.
What Not to Say to Someone With Burnout
You just need a vacation.A week off rarely touches long-term burnout, and they'll come back to the same job.
A week off might help a little, but this sounds bigger than that. I'm around if you want to talk about it.
Have you tried setting boundaries?It turns a workload problem into a personal failing.
This isn't a failing. It's too much work for anyone.
We're all tired.It shrinks what they've just told you.
Thanks for telling me. That sounds different from ordinary tired.
But you're so good at your job.Being good at it is often how they got here.
You're good at this, and it still costs too much.
Let me know if I can do anything.It hands them a task: working out what you could do, then asking.
I'm doing a grocery run on Saturday. Send me your list, or I'll guess.
At least you have a job.It tells them they aren't allowed to struggle with something they're lucky to have.
You can be glad of the paycheck and still be worn down by the work.
Gifts That Carry What to Say to Someone With Burnout
Some links here may earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you. How we choose.
Custom Message Shortbread Cookies
Vanilla shortbread with your own message, three lines of up to 12 characters each. "PER MY LAST / EMAIL / GO HOME" fits, if that's your sense of humor.
- Skip it if
- They're rarely home to take a delivery, since this is food and it won't wait on a doorstep.
Personalized Socks, Set of 5 Pairs
Five pairs of Pima cotton socks knitted with a phrase of your choosing. A short one works best, so check the order form for how much will fit.
- Skip it if
- Work has stopped being funny for them. Pick a kind phrase, or skip the joke altogether.
What to Say to a Coworker or Friend With Burnout: Common Questions
What to say to someone who is burned out?
Tell them what you've noticed, then offer one concrete thing. "You've been doing a lot, and I can take the Thursday report" helps more than a general offer. Don't ask them to explain themselves, and don't ask how they're going to fix it.
What not to say to someone with burnout?
Leave out tips about vacations, boundaries and self-care, and don't compare it to how tired you are. They've probably already thought of all of it, and it can sound as if the problem is that they aren't managing well enough.
What to say to someone going through burnout?
Say what you've seen and offer help with the next step, such as booking a doctor's appointment or covering one shift. With a coworker, keep it private. Burnout and depression can overlap and feel similar, but they aren't the same thing. If someone's low mood follows them everywhere, not only at work, it's worth suggesting they talk to a doctor.
What to say to someone who had a long day at work?
One long day and burnout ask for different things. For a long day, "Want to complain about it, or want to not think about it?" is plenty. If every day has been that day for months, say so gently and offer one concrete thing.