December is a paradoxical month. On the surface, it’s the season of lights, celebrations, and “holidays are coming.” But in many teams, behind polite smiles, the reality is heavier: a deep, accumulated, sometimes dangerous fatigue.
At this time of year, one question comes up again and again:
“Am I just tired… or am I getting close to something more serious?”
Telling the difference between normal fatigue and a genuine burnout risk isn’t intuitive.
Too often, warning signs are mistaken for “mood swings,” or worse: people’s suffering is dismissed as a “comfort request.”
Many organizations are reluctant to open the conversation on mental health for fear of being flooded with whimsical demands.
In reality, taking mental health seriously—both individual and organizational—is about preserving the capacity to mobilize an engaged team, especially in a tense economic environment.
1. The Myth of the “Final Sprint”
Every year, we hear the same thing:
“Hang in there, it’s the final stretch.”
“We’ll make it to the holidays.”
“Just one last push.”
This December ritual has become normalized.
But behind it often lies something else: a state of exhaustion that’s already advanced.
The problem with the idea of a “final sprint” is that it assumes there’s still energy left to mobilize. For many, the reserves are empty.
It’s like asking someone to run faster… when they’re already on their knees.
2. Physical Signals You Need to Take Seriously
The body usually speaks first—long before the mind.
- Sleep issues (night awakenings, insomnia, unrestorative sleep)
- Persistent muscle tension (neck, jaw, shoulders)
- Frequent headaches and the feeling of being “overloaded”
These aren’t “seasonal tiredness.”
They signal that the nervous system is overheating.
3. Emotional Signals: What Spills Over Despite You
In December, emotions overflow more easily—and it’s not a “fragility” issue.
- Unusual irritability or impatience
- Feeling overwhelmed by the slightest request
- Hypersensitivity or episodes of discouragement
These are signs that the emotional reservoir is empty.
4. Behavioral Signals: When Everything Feels Harder
When the mind tires, behaviors shift—sometimes subtly.
- Reduced efficiency despite sustained effort
- Difficulty making even simple decisions
- Unusual procrastination, as if you can’t get yourself to move
It’s the psychological equivalent of an engine stalling.
5. How to Respond—for Yourself or a Colleague
Burnout prevention isn’t heroic.
It’s about early, simple, concrete actions.
• Speak up early
Without dramatizing, but without minimizing either.
An open conversation can be enough to relieve pressure.
• Assess the real workload
Not what’s “supposed” to be happening—what’s actually happening:
current projects, interruptions, requests, tensions.
• Redirect to a professional if needed
GP, psychologist, occupational health.
Professional support is not a sign of weakness—it’s an act of protection.
• Reach out to an MHFA (Mental Health First Aid) contact if available
Trained to provide Mental Health First Aid, they can listen, guide, and help avoid well-intentioned but harmful responses.
Conclusion: Burnout Never Arrives “All at Once”
It always announces itself—through subtle signals we sometimes choose not to see.
