Feeling tired no matter how much you rest? Stress is something many of us experience, especially when juggling work, family life, relationships, and personal responsibilities. A certain level of stress can even feel motivating at times — helping us to meet deadlines or rise to a challenge. But when stress becomes constant, overwhelming, or begins to affect your wellbeing, it may be a sign of something more serious.
Burnout is what can happen when prolonged stress leads to emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. You might feel like you’re running on empty, stuck in survival mode, or disconnected from the things that once mattered to you.
What does burnout actually feel like?
Burnout often develops when we feel unable to meet the demands being placed on us — whether at work, at home, or in caring roles. You might notice that even small tasks feel too much, or that your usual coping strategies aren’t working anymore. Instead of bouncing back after rest, you may still feel tired, flat, or irritable.
It’s important to know that burnout isn’t just about being busy or working long hours. It’s often tied to emotional strain, perfectionism, lack of support, or feeling powerless to make changes.
Who is most at risk of burnout?
Stress and burnout can affect anyone — from high achievers and caregivers, to parents, students, healthcare professionals, and business owners. Some people may be more vulnerable if they:
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Struggle to set boundaries or say no
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Feel pressure to always do more or be perfect
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Work in environments with high demands and low support
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Are navigating significant life changes or personal challenges
Burnout is especially common in helping professions such as healthcare, teaching, therapy, and social care — where the emotional demands of work can be high and time for recovery is limited.
What are the signs of burnout?
You might be experiencing burnout if you notice:
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Feeling exhausted no matter how much rest you get
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Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
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Losing interest or motivation in things you usually care about
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Feeling detached, numb, or increasingly cynical
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Frequent headaches, muscle tension, or digestive issues
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Trouble sleeping, or sleeping too much
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Withdrawing from friends, family, or social activities
How is stress different from burnout?
Stress and burnout are closely linked, but not quite the same thing. Stress tends to involve feeling under pressure or overwhelmed, often with a sense of urgency. Burnout is what can happen when that stress is long-term and unresolved, leading to emotional exhaustion, disconnection, and loss of motivation.
How can therapy help with stress and burnout?
Therapy can offer the breathing space to pause, reflect, and explore what’s really going on beneath the surface. Together with your therapist, you can:
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Identify the patterns and pressures contributing to your stress or burnout
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Understand where unhelpful beliefs (like perfectionism or people-pleasing) may be playing a part
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Explore your relationship with work, responsibility, and rest
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Rebuild healthy boundaries and restore a sense of choice in how you spend your time and energy
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Develop tools and strategies to support recovery and prevent burnout in the future
Burnout recovery isn’t about “pushing through” — it’s about learning to care for yourself, reconnect with your needs, and create the conditions for lasting wellbeing.
Self-Guided Support for Burnout
If you’re feeling stuck in survival mode or trying to recover from ongoing stress, you’re not alone. Many of us find that rest doesn’t feel restorative, or that we keep swinging between overwhelm and shutdown.
To support this, Claire Daplyn (UKCP Registered Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor) has created a Burnout Recovery Workbook — a gentle, therapist-designed guide to help you reconnect with your body and restore nervous system balance.
🧠 What’s inside the workbook:
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Psychoeducation on burnout and your nervous system
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Journaling prompts and reflection tools
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Printable quote cards, a rest menu, and a 7-day rest tracker
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A fillable + printable format so you can work through it at your own pace
👉 View the Burnout Recovery Workbook on Etsy
This isn’t a replacement for therapy, but it may be a supportive companion on your journey toward recovery.
Considering therapy for stress or burnout?
If this feels familiar, you’re not alone — and support is available. Therapy can help you understand what’s happening and find a way forward. If you’d like to explore whether counselling could help, book a free phone consultation with one of our team by calling 01892 249032. Alternatively, click on the green ‘book a consultation’ button to choose a time that works for you.