Additional comment provided by Peter Duris, CEO of Kickresume.

Burnout is alarmingly common in UK workplaces. It’s expected to affect about 65% of workers (20% of employees have taken time off for work-related stress).

That can be caused by high workload, low pay, a lack of support, and unrealistic expectations.

But if you ask Peter Duris, CEO of Kickresume, some of those people are experiencing something called a “competence hangover,” too.

It’s a form of burnout that happens when a worker feels solely, or mostly, responsible for keeping their workplace afloat.

You might feel that standards would drop to unacceptable levels without you, or that serious mistakes would be made in your absence – leading to immense perceived pressure.

“If you feel responsible for other people’s well-being at work, you might be more likely to push yourself further, taking on extra tasks or working later, potentially to the point of burnout,” said Duris.

“You can develop this issue in any kind of job, but there are some career paths where people might be more vulnerable to a ‘competence hangover,’” Duris told HuffPost UK.

“This includes jobs where workers can find themselves under a lot of emotional strain,” like medicine, teaching, and social work.

And, Duris added, personality matters too.

“Studies have shown that people who are highly conscientious are more likely to take on extra work, describing themselves as feeling exhausted and emotionally drained.

“Because they’re seen as reliable, these employees are often asked by managers to take on extra tasks on top of helping their coworkers. Managers should be mindful of this to avoid overloading their teams.”

Per Duris, some signs include:

1. Feeling exhausted,
2. Coming back to work after the weekend as if you haven’t had a proper rest,
3. Struggling with decision-making can feel harder,
4. Low creativity,
5. Feeling resentful of coworkers.

“On the other hand, if you’re a manager who’s worried about one of your team members, it might come out in a one-to-one meeting, so make sure that you’re making time for these catch-ups,” he added.

Competence “hangovers” are a form of burnout that can make you feel like you need to switch jobs.

“Sometimes a couple of days off can help take the pressure off a bit. But people whose exhaustion is deeper than this might find themselves needing to use sick leave, or consider leaving their job,” he said.

“Even if you love your work and you’re a high performer, it’s not worth risking your wellbeing and your health.

If you have a supportive manager and workplace, he added, relying on the people you work with more could help to ease your stress.

“But if you can’t rely on the other people at your company to pick up the slack after you’ve been giving it your all to keep everything going – to the point that you’ve burned out – it might be time to start thinking about a change of direction,” he ended.

Not to be the most typical Brit possible but, can you believe the weather we’ve been having? Even by British weather standards, it is absolutely bloody miserable out there and I don’t think I can possibly stomach another day of rain.

Cold weather is my favourite, but rain? All the time? Come on, man. I miss having nice hair outdoors.

I know I’m not alone in this despair. In fact, depression-related searches in the UK have risen by 24% in the past month, with rainfall hitting the nation every day this year.

The Met Office says the bad weather is being caused by a “blocking pattern”, which is when high pressure sits over Scandinavia and stops normal weather systems from moving through the UK, leaving us stuck with ongoing unsettled conditions.

Now, Dr Babak Ashrafi, from Superdrug Online Doctor, says this same blocking pattern may be having a psychological effect too, calling it the “Blocking Pattern Burnout”, highlighting why rain can have more detrimental impacts on our physical and mental health than any winter weather.

Dr Ashrafi says: “Cold weather doesn’t always mean a lower mood. Bright, crisp winter days are some of the loveliest, still providing lots of natural light which helps regulate our serotonin; the neurotransmitter closely linked to our mood.

“And even when temperatures are low, this natural light exposure supports the body’s circadian rhythm, helping to balance melatonin production and maintain energy levels.

“Rain is different mainly because it significantly reduces light intensity, sometimes by up to 80–90%! That drop in light exposure suppresses serotonin and will disrupt your body clock, leading to increased fatigue and lower mood.”

Over days and weeks, this results in what he has dubbed “Blocked Pattern Burnout”. The brain receives fewer environmental cues for alertness, reward and social engagement. People may begin to feel mentally flat, unmotivated and more socially withdrawn.

Thankfully, while we can’t control the weather, Dr Ashrafi assures that there are still some coping mechanisms we can make the most of.

Create a “Light Trigger Window” early in the day

Aim to get outside within the first hour of waking, even if it’s overcast. Cloudy daylight can still be up to 10 times brighter than indoor lighting. Morning light helps regulate serotonin, suppresses melatonin and stabilises your circadian rhythm, which supports mood and energy levels,

Persistent rain reduces quick activity like walking to lunch or running an errand. Instead of waiting for motivation or a reason, schedule small bursts of movement throughout the day, a 5-minute walk with your rain jacket on, standing during calls, or a short stretch break.

Overcast skies reduce overall light intensity and visual stimulation. Counter this by maximising indoor lighting, opening blinds fully, and working near windows where possible. Brighter environments help support alertness and regulate the body’s internal clock.

Rain often equals cancelled plans. Even brief interactions, a short coffee or a quick call are super important. Regular social contact remains one of the strongest protective factors for mental wellbeing.

Reduced sunlight can impact vitamin D levels, which are linked to mood regulation. Ensuring adequate vitamin D intake during darker months, alongside a balanced diet and regular sleep routine, can help buffer against weather-related dips in mood.

Remember, this is just a season and we’ll be complaining about the heat before you know it.