Understanding Burnout: How to Recognise the Signs and Start Healing
We’ve all been there: trying to manage everything—work, family, friends, personal responsibilities—only to feel like we’re constantly falling short. For many women, the expectation to juggle it all can lead to a deep sense of exhaustion that goes beyond mere tiredness. It’s not just about needing a day off; it’s about feeling emotionally and physically depleted, as though the weight of all your responsibilities is simply too much to carry.
If you’ve been pushing yourself to the brink and feel like there’s nothing left to give, you might be experiencing burnout. It’s a state that sneaks up on you, making you believe that the endless fatigue and detachment are normal. But they’re not.
Burnout is real, and it can affect every part of your life if left unchecked. The good news? You don’t have to keep living like this. Recognising the signs early and taking steps to heal can transform how you manage your energy, allowing you to reclaim a sense of balance and well-being.
The Hidden Signs of Burnout
Burnout often manifests in subtle ways, which is why so many women miss the warning signs until they’re already deep in its grip. Have you noticed:
Chronic fatigue: No matter how much sleep you get, you still wake up feeling exhausted.
Emotional detachment: You feel disconnected from work, family, or activities that once brought you joy.
Physical symptoms: Unexplained headaches, insomnia, frequently unwell, excess sweating, hair loss, no libido, chest pains, muscle aches, or digestive issues that persist.
Behavioural symptoms: Drinking more coffee/tea to get through the day, increased alcohol intake, eating lots of sweets, overeating/under-eating, increased chiro/physio visits, mood swings and irritability.
Burnout is more than just feeling tired; it’s a signal from your body that something needs to change. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to reassess how stress is affecting your health. To understand more about how prolonged stress impacts your mind and body, check out our guide on the impact of stress.
How to Start Healing
Healing from burnout is a journey, not a quick fix. It requires a combination of strategies to help you recharge emotionally, mentally, and physically. Here’s how you can start:
Set clear boundaries: One of the most powerful ways to protect your energy is by learning to say “no.” Setting boundaries ensures you’re not overcommitting and burning yourself out further.
Reconnect with joy: It’s easy to lose sight of what makes you happy when you’re overwhelmed. Start small by reintroducing activities that bring you joy. If you’re unsure where to begin, explore our tips on reconnecting with joy.
Seek support: Sometimes the stress and anxiety that life deals us from time to time is bigger than what we can manage on our own. Burnout can make you feel isolated, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Professional counselling offers a space for you to express your perspective and your feelings without judgement. If you want to incorporate some changes in your life, but are unsure where to start - counselling can support you through this process, offering you tools and strategies so you feel confident taking the steps you need, to achieve the change you wish to see in your life and rebuild your resilience.
If you’re ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling more balanced ,book a time to chat with Chat It Out. We’re here to support you on your journey to recovery.
