There are ways to combat mid-year fatigue and prevent burnout. Mid-year fatigue is real and, if left unchecked, it can tip into full-blown burnout. It’s a deep exhaustion, emotional, mental, and physical, that builds up after months of hard work, stress, and not enough rest. NIH's warning signs to look out for: Every day feels like a bad day. Physical clues include feeling tired and drained most of the time, frequent headaches or muscle pain, lowered immunity, or changes in appetite or sleep.