8 Subtle Signs of Burnout in Women You Might Be Missing (3 of 5)

Emotional Numbness

Burnout isn’t always about feeling drained. For some women, it shows up as emotional detachment. Happiness, sadness, or excitement may all feel muted, as if nothing truly lands. This “numbness” is a coping mechanism the nervous system uses when it can’t process relentless stress. If you catch yourself going through the motions, disconnected from your feelings, it may be burnout taking root.

Sensory Overload and Irritability

The demands of modern life—career, caregiving, friendships, and even self-care—are enough to test anyone’s limits. But when ordinary sounds, lights, or conversations begin to feel unbearable, it may be more than a bad day. Heightened sensitivity and irritability are the body’s way of signaling that stress levels are unsustainable.