How do we recover from burnout?

A few weeks ago, I shared an article explaining the complexity of burnout, (You Can Still Burnout Doing What You Love) and the overwhelming response has led me to this crucial question: how do we recover?"

First off, admitting you need to change your lifestyle is never easy. We convince ourselves that we can't let others down, while putting on a brave face and pretending we can do it all. But in reality, we’re just masking our exhaustion and delaying the inevitable. Eventually, we can no longer do it and something has to give. Everyone has limits. This is exactly where I found myself at the start of this year. I knew I had to pause, reassess and make some significant changes. 

Having spent over a decade working in the wellness industry, I’ve felt embarrassed to admit that I was close to mental and physical exhaustion. It’s ironic- I’ve delivered talks to countless organisations about stress management, high performance, and how to avoid burnout. Surely, I should have known better. But life happens, and somehow in between parenting, working, travelling, and training for a marathon, I’d fallen into the trap of overcommitting and overworking. In January, I was lying in bed with a chest infection when I decided that I needed ‘deep rest’. 

What is ‘deep rest’ and why do we need it?

Deep rest isn’t just about taking a few days off, lighting a scented candle, or spending an extra hour in bed. It’s about taking time out to restore physically, mentally, and emotionally. Deep rest involves disconnecting from the chaotic pace of modern life and allowing yourself to stop. It’s essential for your nervous system, which can become dysregulated due to constant stress and overstimulation. When you commit to deep rest, you can help regulate your nervous system and find your way back to balance. If you’re burnt out, deep rest is the only way to recover.