The (im)balance between stressors and resources
You know if work is stressful from time to time, this is initially not a problem. Stress as such isn’t harmful to health. A stress response is the attempt to master demands. Stress only has an opportunity to harm health when this attempt fails or when recovery afterwards is missing.
Permanent stress is dangerous. We are by nature very well equipped to cope with stressors. Managed stress even makes us stronger for the next conflict. But after exertion, when we have consumed much energy, we have to recharge our batteries. We need, so to speak, a counterbalance for stressors, so-called resources (“sources of strength”).
As long as both are balanced, that’s great. Problems arise if the stressors’ part clearly dominates and permanently outweighs the body’s coping mechanisms, or the resources for dealing with stress. When someone realizes that the resources (for example recognition, support from colleagues, good working equipment) are not sufficient to cope with stressors (for example time pressure, harassment or ambiguity), this is called mental overload.
In extreme cases and over a longer period of time, this condition can lead to what is called “burn-out”, which in its final stage resembles depression.