Beating Burnout: Why Exhaustion Isn’t a Personal Failure
Nov 06, 2025
We don’t often notice it happening; the slow slide from “I’m just tired” to “I can’t do this anymore.”
It creeps in quietly, disguised as responsibility, care, and passion. Especially for those of us who show up every day for others: young people, families, teams, or communities, the line between giving and depleting becomes hard to see.
I used to think burnout was about overwork. But it’s not just that. It’s about disconnection, from ourselves, from our sense of purpose, and often from the relationships that once energised us.
What’s really happening when we burn out?
Psychologist Christina Maslach, who pioneered research on burnout, described it as a combination of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and a reduced sense of accomplishment.
It’s not weakness; it’s a nervous system that’s been running on high alert for too long.
When we live or work in high-stress environments, education, health, care, and parenting, our brains become wired for survival. Cortisol, adrenaline, and hypervigilance take over. The body forgets how to rest.
Even when we’re still, the mind doesn’t stop scanning for what’s next.
In trauma-informed terms, burnout can be understood as chronic dysregulation. The same physiological systems designed to protect us in crisis start working against us when there’s no time or space to recover.
And yet, most of us respond by pushing harder - working longer, saying yes when we mean no, and measuring our worth by our output.
The cost of caring
Research shows that professionals in helping roles are among the most vulnerable to burnout.
Teachers, clinicians, carers, and parents often experience what’s known as empathic strain, the emotional cost of caring deeply.
Studies have found links between burnout and secondary traumatic stress, especially when we’re repeatedly exposed to distress without enough support or reflection time (Figley, 1995; Bride, 2007).
This doesn’t just affect us; it affects the young people we support.
When we’re depleted, it’s harder to co-regulate, to stay patient, to be curious rather than reactive.
We start to lose the space between what’s happening and how we respond.
That’s why a trauma-informed approach must include us, the helpers.
We cannot pour from an empty cup - and we can’t model regulation for others if we’re running on survival mode ourselves.
Healing from burnout isn’t about bubble baths
True recovery isn’t about taking a weekend off or practising self-care when you have five minutes spare.
It’s about reconnection, with your body, your values, and your boundaries.
Burnout recovery means learning to notice the signals your body gives long before it shuts down.
It means shifting from constant “doing” to allowing moments of stillness, and recognising that rest isn’t earned - it’s essential.
Most importantly, it means remembering that your worth isn’t determined by your productivity.
We heal when we start to ask for help, accept our limits, and develop new rhythms, just as we encourage young people to do.
Learning to beat burnout
That’s why I created Beating Burnout: a short, accessible course for professionals and parents who give so much to others that they’ve lost sight of themselves.
It’s designed to fit around your life, with short, practical videos you can watch or listen to on the move, whether you’re driving, walking the dog, or grabbing a quiet moment with a cup of tea.
You’ll learn how to:
- Understand what burnout really is and why it happens.
- Recognise early warning signs in yourself and others.
- Reconnect with what brings meaning and joy.
- Build small, sustainable changes that last - even on busy days.
And by the end, you’ll have created your own personalised plan that works for you: not a one-size-fits-all approach, but a rhythm that supports your real life.
If you’re ready to move from running on empty to leading, parenting, or caring with energy again - this course is for you.
What others have said
“This course helped me find myself again. I didn’t realise how disconnected I’d become - always putting everyone else first. The short videos meant I could fit it around life, and by the end, I had a plan that actually works for me. I feel calmer, more confident, and more in control - and my team have noticed the difference too.”
– Participant, Beating Burnout
Final thoughts
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re broken.
It’s a sign that you’ve been strong for too long without enough support.
When we start to look after the helpers, we don’t just heal individuals - we transform cultures.
Because thriving isn’t selfish - it’s how we sustain the work that matters most.
