How do I manage work stress before it burns me out?

The key is catching stress early before it compounds. Build small daily habits that actually discharge stress rather than just distract from it: brief walks, real breaks away from screens, and protecting sleep fiercely since sleep deprivation amplifies every stressor. Set clear stopping times for work and stick to them, because always being available trains your brain to never fully recover. On the structural side, get honest about your workload. If you're consistently overwhelmed, the problem is usually too much on your plate, not poor coping skills. Have direct conversations with your manager about priorities and capacity. Learn to say no or negotiate deadlines before you're already drowning. Burnout rarely happens suddenly, it builds from months of ignoring early warning signs like irritability, cynicism, and exhaustion.