Burnout rarely arrives overnight. For neurodivergent people, the slide can be faster because masking, sensory overload, and admin debt pile up quietly. World Health Organization guidance frames burnout as an occupational phenomenon—when energy drains faster than resources refill.[1] Use this checklist to spot trouble early and let Chaos coordinate the buffer time you need.
Keep it light-touch: five minutes on a Friday with honest tracking will save you weeks of recovery later.
Track the Signals Before Exhaustion Lands
Energy and mood swings
Log your energy out of ten each day inside Chaos. If you see three consecutive scores below five, tag it. The CIPD’s 2024 Health and Wellbeing at Work report found workload pressure remains the leading trigger of long-term stress in UK organisations.[2] Flag this to your manager before it becomes absence.
Memory slips and missed basics
Notice if you forget snacks, medication, or simple admin you usually breeze through. That is your working memory waving a white flag. Chaos can surface a “daily essentials” list first thing each morning so you do not burn energy rebuilding routines from scratch.
Sensory overwhelm
If noise-cancelling headphones stay on all day or you dread video calls, add a “sensory load” tag. Chaos can then auto-schedule decompression blocks after heavy collaboration to keep you regulated.
Build Recovery Buffers with Chaos
Automate micro-rest between meetings
Insert 10-minute recovery windows after back-to-back calls. Chaos checks your calendar for space and nudges you to stand up, snack, or breathe before diving into the next task.
Rotate responsibilities before collapse
List draining tasks (weekly reports, customer escalations) and set Chaos reminders to delegate or trade them once fatigue scores spike. Link to our digital minimalism guide if you need help pruning commitments.
Schedule proactive check-ins
Set a fortnightly reflection with a trusted colleague or manager. Share your Chaos metrics so the conversation centres on data, not blame. Microsoft’s Work Trend Index shows employees want leaders who create clarity and reduce digital debt; sharing real metrics helps them do that.[3]
When to Press Pause
If you tick three or more early warning signs in a week, book a reset day immediately: disable non-urgent notifications, set Chaos to hold new requests, and lean into low-stimulation activities. Burnout thrives on silence; loop in your support network before your body forces the issue.
Chaos cannot replace medical care, but it can make it easier to notice strain, ask for help, and protect your energy. Use the assistant as your early detection system so you can keep doing meaningful work on your terms.