According to the Mayo Clinic, burnout is a type of work-related crisis. It is a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity. Although it is not classified as a medical condition, it is recognized as an “occupational phenomenon” under the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases.

Listen to your body. There are many different signs that you could be suffering from burnout, including exhaustion, chronic stress, inefficiency, feeling useless, depression, headaches, insomnia, frequent colds and infections, stomach pain, higher blood pressure, cynicism, blurred vision and the obvious: hating your job. These things don’t just happen overnight, and you’re not likely to notice until burnout is well-established.

Since there are a lot of different symptoms of burnout, you may want to make an appointment with your doctor or mental health provider to get an objective medical assessment and make sure your symptoms aren’t caused by something else.

The first step to healing is admitting that you have a problem, but before you speak with your boss, talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling. This could be a friend, coworker or both. Having their support will make you feel less anxious and alone about what you’re going through, and will boost your confidence before you schedule your meeting.

There are simple ways to deal with everyday stress, but burnout rarely goes away on its own if you decide to do nothing about it. Your boss likely has multiple responsibilities competing for their attention, so they may not notice that you’re overwhelmed. It can seem intimidating to start a conversation, but making time to talk is the first step to getting back on track.

We often overcommit out of ambition and a need to impress, and when we fail to deliver or turn something in that’s not top-quality, it can feel like we’re dispensable — that our boss might just find someone else who can handle the stress care-free. Truth is, most supervisors want you to speak up about the things that hinder you from carrying out your job duties to the best of your ability. Taking the time to fix things from within is less expensive than hiring and training someone to take a job with a proven history of burnout anyway.

When you’re ready to talk, it’s best to do so in person, although that’s not always possible. If you’re working remotely, request a video chat by sending a simple email to the tune of, “I’m feeling overwhelmed lately. Do you have time to chat about it this week?” To get ready for your call, consider these virtual meeting guidelines.

Talking to your boss about mental health is new territory for many, so going into a meeting expecting a comfortable conversation isn’t always realistic. Don’t let that stop you, though. The whole reason you’re doing this is so that you can feel more comfortable in the aftermath. It’s likely your boss has experienced burnout in some capacity too and can empathize with you.

To mitigate stress, you have to be transparent. Do you have too many assignments? Are you working late? Are you qualified to perform the duties you’ve been given? Are you being tasked to do more than what’s expected of your job description? What resources do you need to do your job more effectively? Are workplace dynamics dysfunctional? Be vulnerable and lay it all on the table so that you can set new boundaries.

In addition to the above, ask yourself, “How does this affect not only me but also the business as a whole?” Tell your boss that you’ve pushed yourself beyond your limits in service to the company, but you’re worried that you can no longer perform at peak capacity.

Think about possible solutions to the problems you face so that you can create a plan of action. What does a better work situation look like for you and what will it take to get there? Perhaps you need to realign priorities and expectations, lighten your workload, implement new processes, release your own perfectionist tendencies or draw support from other staffers or external sources.

It is proactive to go into your meeting with proposed solutions, but it’s not all on you to figure this out. Don’t be afraid to ask your boss for guidance on how to resolve your issues.

If your feelings are bottled up and you feel them creeping out during your conversation, that’s OK. Showing emotion may not be commonplace in the office, but it’s a very real part of life. Talking about upsetting aspects of your job isn’t an easy thing to do. You don’t need to feel ashamed over tears, shortness of breath or other reactions.

Sometimes what your body needs is a vacation, or even a staycation, to recover. Taking paid time off can often feel taboo because the work grind never stops, but if you need to disconnect and refresh, do it — and don’t be accessible. Make it clear that you won’t be answering emails or phone calls while you’re away. A little distance from the office may be necessary for your wellbeing.

Once you have a plan set in stone, be patient. Burnout isn’t going to go away overnight, but your new goals are stepping stones to getting there.

When you feel like enough time has passed, reflect on what has changed since you spoke with your boss. What isn’t working? If there are still some lingering issues, set up another meeting to continue the conversation and build off of or tweak what was discussed initially.

If your plan is working, let your boss know. They will be happy to know that you’re feeling supported and revitalized.

In the worst-case scenario that your boss doesn’t acknowledge your concerns or refuses to provide you any relief, you may want to contact your company’s human resources department. It can act as a neutral party and provide helpful resources to you directly.

Here’s an alternative to speaking with HR: If your company is part of a union, you can consult your union leader for advice on how to proceed.

A recent study by Deloitte showed that 77% of full-time U.S. professionals have experienced burnout at their current job. Although it is commonplace, it’s not healthy. You should get the help you need as soon as possible because stress has long-term effects on mental and physical health in ways you have never imagined.

More from The Active Times

Resume Skills You Can Build at Home While Job Searching

Phone and Video Interview Tips for Entering the Job Market

25 Best Cities for Jobs

Fastest Growing Jobs in the US

Unemployment Tips: Reignite Your Passion