Everyone has to deal with stress. It is the tension you feel for a presentation, an important conversation or an exciting event. It makes you alert and you can concentrate on a difficult assignment. Stress gradually turns into overstrain when there is a long-term unhealthy load. If the cause of the stresses in overstrain is removed, you can function normally again. In a burnout, the energy level is affected. There is often long-term, usually years-long tension. Body and mind are burned out.