3 min readNew DelhiFeb 11, 2026 10:00 PM IST
In a culture that glorifies hustle, slowing down is often mistaken for laziness. Many people walk into therapy carrying a heavy sense of guilt, convinced they’re not doing “enough.” However, according to Dr Pavitra Shankar, Associate Consultant – Psychiatry at Aakash Healthcare, what they’re experiencing is far more likely to be emotional exhaustion than a lack of motivation.
“Laziness is a lack of motivation despite having energy,” Dr Shankar explains. “Emotional exhaustion is wanting to function but feeling mentally, emotionally, or physically depleted.” The difference, she says, lies in intent. If you want to show up but feel drained before you even begin, that’s not laziness—it’s burnout.
Laziness vs exhaustion
Dr Shankar identifies a key marker that many people miss. “If rest doesn’t refresh you, small tasks feel overwhelming, and guilt replaces relief, it’s more likely exhaustion—not laziness,” she says. Instead of feeling recharged after a break, emotionally drained individuals often feel anxious and self-critical for needing one at all.
This mislabeling, she warns, only deepens distress. “When people call themselves lazy, they stop asking what their body or mind actually needs,” she says.
5 signs you’re burned out, not lazy
In her clinical practice, Dr Shankar sees recurring patterns among patients who judge themselves harshly. “The most common signs include constant fatigue, reduced concentration, emotional numbness or irritability, procrastination despite anxiety, and a loss of joy in activities once enjoyed,” she notes.
What stands out most is how people relate to rest. “These individuals feel guilty for resting and often see burnout symptoms as personal failure,” Dr Shankar says. “They judge themselves instead of recognising that they’re overwhelmed.”
How exhaustion slowly chips away at confidence
Left unaddressed, emotional exhaustion doesn’t just affect energy—it reshapes how people see themselves. “Over time, exhaustion reduces productivity by impairing focus and motivation,” Dr Shankar explains. “Decision-making becomes slower and more avoidant.”
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The emotional cost can be even heavier. “Repeated struggles erode self-worth,” she says. “People begin to internalise the belief that they’re incompetent or lazy, which worsens emotional distress and deepens burnout.”
What happens when a person is emotionally drained? (Photo: Freepik)
Recovering without guilt
Healing, Dr Shankar emphasises, doesn’t start with doing more—it starts with understanding. “The first step is acknowledging exhaustion as a valid health concern, not a weakness,” she says.
She advises focusing on the basics before big changes. “Prioritise rest, set smaller goals, and reduce non-essential demands,” Dr Shankar suggests. Just as important is how you speak to yourself. “Replace self-criticism with self-compassion. Recovery begins when slowing down is seen as necessary, not selfish.”
And if exhaustion persists, she urges seeking support early. “You don’t have to wait until you completely break down to ask for help,” she says.
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