Pardon Me While I Burst: 6 Signs of Burnout & Tips That May Help

Burnout doesn’t always crash through the door with warning sirens—it tiptoes in like a thief, slowly stealing your spark until you’re running on fumes. I know, because I’ve been there.

Detached, foggy, borderline emotionless. Some days it honestly felt like I was on auto-pilot and others it was so bad I could barely get my day started… I was moving, but I wasn’t living.

What is Burnout?

Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. It is characterized by three key dimensions:

• Exhaustion: Feeling drained, depleted.

• Resentment: Developing negative attitudes, feeling disillusioned, and questioning the value of one's worth.

• Reduced efficacy: Experiencing a sense of incompetence, feeling ineffective, and doubting one's abilities.

  
  

My Brush with Burnout

There was a point where everything I loved started to feel heavy. I’d wake up exhausted before my feet even hit the floor. Teaching fitness classes—something that once lit me up—started to feel like a task I had to survive instead of savor. My YouTube videos, my writing, my routines... all sat untouched as I stared blankly at to-do lists that never ended.

And the scariest part? I didn’t feel much of anything. Not sad. Not happy. Just... flatline. My joy had a “404 not found” error. I wasn’t just tired—I was depleted, disconnected, and deep in the fog. I didn't want to get out of bed most days. It was beginning to effect my work life and social life. I ignored calls, kept more anti-social than usual. I even skipped workouts. One day my daughter came up to me and wrapped her arms around me. She didn't say anything it was just a hug. I knew then that she needed me around and that whatever this was... I had to get to the bottom of it

That was my wake-up call.

Signs of Burnout

Recognizing the signs of burnout is crucial for early intervention and recovery. Understanding the early warning signs can empower individuals to take proactive steps to address their situation before it escalates into more severe health issues.

Here are 6 signs you might be staring burnout in the face—some I knew too well before I even had the words for them:

1. Your Motivation Is Missing in Action That fire that used to fuel your hustle? Gone. You find yourself procrastinating more, dragging your feet on tasks you used to crush. Even passion projects feel like chores now. It's like someone turned down the volume on your ambition.

2. Rest Doesn’t Recharge You Anymore You sleep, but wake up feeling like you ran a marathon in your dreams. Days off don’t refresh you. Vacations feel like a blink. Burnout doesn’t just drain your energy—it makes refueling feel impossible.

3. You’re Emotionally Numb or Constantly Irritated Everything either grates your nerves or makes you feel… nothing at all. You’re snapping at people, ghosting texts, or crying over commercials. Your emotional bandwidth is fried, and your inner peace is running low on bars.

4. You're Forgetful and Foggy Simple tasks suddenly feel complex. You walk into rooms and forget why. Deadlines sneak up on you. Burnout fogs your brain and hijacks your focus—making it harder to keep your life (or to-do list) together.

5. You’re Detached—From Work, Life, or Even Yourself You might feel like you’re just “going through the motions,” disconnected from what used to matter. It’s like watching your life on autopilot while you sit in the backseat, unsure how to grab the wheel again.

6. Your Body Is Begging for a Break Headaches. Gut issues. Tight shoulders. Insomnia. Your body will scream what your mouth refuses to say: I can’t keep doing this. Burnout isn’t just mental—it wears a physical mask, too.

Ready to Reclaim Your Peace?

If you're reading this and nodding your head, it might be time to press pause and prioritize you. Recognizing the signs of burnout is the first step toward recovery. Tools such as therapy or wellness coaching are designed to help you reset, realign, and rebuild your energy from the inside out—mind, body, and soul.

Taking proactive steps to overcome burnout can restore your sense of well-being

Try these 6 Tips to Combat Burnout:

1. Set Boundaries: Clearly define your work hours and personal time to prevent work from encroaching on your personal life.

2. Practice Self-Care: Engage in regular physical activity, eat healthy meals, and ensure you get enough sleep to keep your energy levels up.

3. Take Breaks: Incorporate short breaks throughout your workday to recharge your mental and physical energy.

4. Seek Support: Talk to friends, family, or colleagues about your feelings. Sometimes, sharing your thoughts can lighten the load.

5. Engage in Hobbies: Spend time on activities you enjoy outside of work to help relieve stress and provide a sense of fulfillment.

6. Reassess Your Goals: Reflect on your current responsibilities and goals to ensure they align with your values and to prevent overwhelming yourself.

And for those restless nights and anxious mornings, try meditating or sip your way to serenity with an Herbal Tea—a calming blend created to soothe your nerves and help your body exhale the tension it’s been holding onto.

Final Thoughts

Burnout isn’t weakness. It’s a signal—a flare shot from the soul saying “something has to change.” Listen to it. Rest isn’t a reward; it’s a requirement. Start small: unplug, reset boundaries, get support. You deserve a life that doesn’t just look good from the outside but feels good on the inside.

Disclaimer:

The tips provided in this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for medical diagnosis before starting any new exercise or nutrition program, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or injuries.