
© iStockphoto/lisegagne
A key facet of long-term stress is the way that people can sustain intense levels of stress for a while, but then burn out.
We will look at burnout in more detail in the next article. It is something that typically affects people who are highly committed to the work they do, probably much like you. When these people are faced by a stressful situation, more-often-than-not they respond with complete commitment, by working intensely hard at resolving it. To do this, they will work all hours, cancel vacations and cut back on sleep, all to make more time to tackle the problem.
If this is short-lived, then negative effects will be minimal and success will often be spectacular. If this hard work is sustained for a long time without relief, these people increasingly risk burnout.
We rest and sleep because we need to.
Mind Tools members, click here.
Join now for just $1, first month

Get training, help and ideas to boost your career: the Mind Tools Club gives you much, much more than you get here on the basic Mind Tools site.
And if you join before midnight on May 9th, we'll also give you a FREE copy of our Future-Proof Your Career workbook.
Join the Mind Tools Club before midnight, May 9th, and get our Future-Proof Your Career workbook (worth US$19.99) for FREE.
Learn on the move with the free Mind Tools iPhone, iPad and Android Apps. Short bursts of business training ideal for busy people.