Being "burdened" and "overwhelmed" are both terms used to describe the negative effects of work stress, but they represent different aspects of the experience. Here's the difference between the two:
Burdened: Feeling burdened at the workplace generally implies that an individual is carrying a heavy load of responsibilities, tasks, or challenges. They might have a significant amount of work to complete or face difficult and demanding projects. The burdened individual might feel weighed down, but they can still manage the workload to some extent. It's like carrying a heavy backpack while hiking; it's challenging, but with determination and coping strategies, they can continue to move forward.
Overwhelmed: On the other hand, being overwhelmed goes beyond simply carrying a heavy load. When someone is overwhelmed by work stress, they feel a sense of being completely submerged or unable to cope with the demands of their job. The volume and complexity of tasks may exceed their capacity to handle them. They may feel emotionally drained, fatigued, and paralyzed by the sheer amount of work or the intensity of the pressure. It's like facing an enormous tidal wave that threatens to engulf and drown them.
In summary, feeling burdened is about dealing with a heavy workload or responsibilities, but there's still a sense of manageability. Feeling overwhelmed, however, is an extreme emotional and mental state where the workload and stress become too much to bear, and the individual may struggle to find a way to cope effectively. Both experiences can be detrimental to a person's well-being and productivity, but being overwhelmed is more severe and may require immediate attention and support.