Burnout
What Is Burnout?
Burnout occurs when our nervous system reaches what can feel like exhaustion with no relief. It is linked to chronic and pervasive stress. At a certain point, our body protests and uses everything it can to get our attention, letting us know something about the way we are living or trying to cope is no longer sustainable.
Causes of Burnout
Burnout has many causes. It is often associated with work stress, but can also result from the challenge of holding multiple competing priorities over a lengthy period of time. It is important to hold an intersectional view as currently women and workers under thirty are most vulnerable to the symptoms of burnout. Our current economic systems create instability for those entering the workforce and this can accelerate the onset of stress symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Burnout?
Burnout shows itself through mental, emotional and physical symptoms including by not limited to:
Fatigue
Digestive issues
Insomnia or changes in sleep patterns
Changes in appetite or eating habits
Headaches
Brain fog
Chronic anxiety or panic attacks
Apathy
Emotional numbness or compassion fatigue
Irritation
When Should I Get Help?
If you are noticing these symptoms, your body is telling you something needs to change. Too often we experience burnout because the idea of change feels impossible and we are trying the best we can to survive in the context we are in. If you are feeling stuck, noticing these symptoms but without any idea of what to do next, having another person offer perspective, care and space to understand what brought you to this point is so helpful in knowing what to do to recover. Recovery can feel scary as it often requires changes in our life so that the burnout cycle isn’t repeated.
While some of these changes can be implemented on an individual level, often systemic pressures contribute to burnout. Working with a therapist that understands this is so important, because it is easy to slide into a place of self blame that says there is something wrong with you for not being able to function at the pace you feel you should.
Resources
Feel free to explore these great resources for burnout on our Resources page.
How Can We Help?
If you believe you are suffering with symptoms of burnout, our therapists would be honoured to support you. We take a systemic, intersectional view to bring awareness of all of the pressures you face that have contributed to your current context and want to work with you to explore what relief might look like in your reality. Please reach out!