You’ve probably heard of burnout—that state of exhaustion that hits after too much stress and overwork. But there’s another, less familiar workplace problem that experts say is also on the rise: burnout.
What is a boreout?
Boreout happens when your work feels meaningless, unstimulating, or monotonous, leaving you chronically bored and mentally checked out.
“Boreout is when an employee experiences chronic boredom, a lack of stimulation, and feels disconnected at work because their daily tasks lack meaning, challenge, or variety,” says Jasmine Escalera, a career expert at MyPerfectResume.
It’s normal to have moments of boredom or disinterest at work. But a boreout is when that feeling dominates your experience.
Rather than being overwhelmed by stress like in burnout, people with boreout feel disengaged because there’s too little challenge or purpose.
Sonnet Daymont, a licensed therapist, explains: “We need a sense of purpose to feel satisfied. Feeling like we’re growing and contributing is a big part of that.”
Why is boreout becoming more common?
Several factors are at play.
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Many people are staying in jobs they dislike because the job market feels uncertain. “If you have a job, you tend to hold on to it, even if you’re unhappy,” says career coach Emily Worden.
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There’s often a mismatch between job descriptions and actual responsibilities. People sign on expecting one thing and end up doing something very different.
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On top of that, there’s a widespread sense of apathy and powerlessness about the state of the world.
Elizabeth Pearson, an executive career coach, explains: “People feel bombarded by bad news. At some point, they tune out from parts of their lives, including work. They feel stuck, waiting for things to improve.”
Though waiting for change might seem smart in the short term, it can come at a real cost to your happiness.
“Boreout isn’t just a temporary slump,” says Keith Spencer of Resume Now. “If you ignore it, it can lead to lasting emotional consequences.”
How is boreout different from burnout?
“Burnout is stress caused by overwork,” Worden says. “Boreout is restlessness caused by a lack of meaningful work.”
Both can lead to similar symptoms, like fatigue, insomnia, exhaustion, or depression.
But the root causes differ:
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Burnout = constant pressure and demands (feels like drowning in work).
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Boreout = lack of challenge or purpose (feels like being stuck with nothing meaningful to do).
In fact, boreout can lead to burnout.
Escalera explains: “Boreout often comes first. If those feelings of disengagement are ignored too long, they can build up to burnout, with more intense symptoms.”
Pearson adds: “You start to perform poorly because you just don’t care. You’re not connected to your work.” Tasks can pile up, becoming overwhelming, and lead to burnout, even though they were boring to start with.
Daymont notes that burnout often shows up with even more physical health problems and frustration, because burned-out employees usually care deeply about their work but are overburdened or mismanaged.
How can you deal with burnout?
Experts agree that the key is to recognize it early and take action.
“It’s so important to pay attention to the early signs,” Escalera says. “If you feel disengaged or unfulfilled, start questioning your work, your purpose, and what really drives you.”
Karishma Patel Buford, chief people officer at Spring Health, suggests:
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Reconnect with what initially motivated you in your role.
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Talk to your manager about taking on more challenging or meaningful tasks.
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Align your work with your values and strengths.
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Advocate for the support you need—feedback, mental health resources, or changes to your role.
Meaningful change often requires speaking up.
Therapist Sonnet Daymont advises learning assertive communication so you can ask your supervisor for more meaningful work. If that’s impossible, consider launching your own project or even a side business to stay engaged.
Dr. Courtney DeAngelis suggests looking for value in your current job, even if the work itself isn’t inspiring:
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Build deeper connections with colleagues.
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Network meaningfully beyond small talk.
Patel Buford also recommends challenging yourself outside of work to rekindle your motivation:
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Take an online course.
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Start a side hustle.
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Develop a new skill or hobby.
And if your current job really can’t give you what you need? Don’t be afraid to consider a change—even a complete career pivot.
“You deserve work that challenges you, supports you, and helps you grow,” Spencer says. “Feeling bored at work isn’t a personal failure. It’s a signal that something needs to change.”