Burnout: Signs Your Nervous System Needs Support (Part 1)
Burnout is more than feeling tired. In this talk, Carolyn explores the common signs of burnout and why so many people are experiencing nervous system depletion right now. We look at how chronic stress, constant stimulation, overgiving and pressure can quietly push us into survival mode. The cues of burnout - overwhelm, brain fog and irritability - may be feedback from the body asking for support, rest and change. Simple, sustainable tools for rebuilding are shared in Part 2.
Transcript
Hello friends.
This piece on burnout was originally in written format,
But I thought you might want to hear me narrate it.
And hear me say that you're not alone.
Not sure if what you're feeling is burnout?
I think a lot of people are asking themselves that right now.
Burnout isn't just being tired.
It's emotional exhaustion,
Mental exhaustion,
Physical exhaustion.
Usually from prolonged stress or just trying to hold too much for too long.
And honestly,
It would be almost strange if you didn't feel this way sometimes.
It's the system.
Capitalism.
Constant stimulation.
It's never fully clocking out.
Caring about everything all at once.
And somewhere along the way,
Slowing down started to feel risky.
A lot of us are functioning in this low-grade survival mode where we keep pushing until the body eventually says,
I can't keep doing this.
And then we judge ourselves for it.
We call ourselves lazy,
Unmotivated,
Undisciplined.
But burnout is not laziness.
Burnout is often your body trying to protect you.
Some signs might look like feeling exhausted no matter how much you sleep.
Tiny tasks feeling completely overwhelming.
Irritability or cynicism.
Feeling disconnected from the things you normally care about.
Brain fog,
Headaches,
Jaw tension,
Stomach issues,
Feeling flat or numb.
Sometimes burnout comes from overgiving.
Too much energy towards work,
Caregiving,
Performing.
And sometimes it's the sheer amount of information we're absorbing every single day.
Our nervous systems were not designed for this level of stimulation or this much global grief or comparison or urgency.
We are wired for community.
For local connection.
For moments of recovery.
Not endless input.
And feeling overwhelmed or helpless,
Sometimes that's actually a very human response right now.
The important thing is not staying stuck there.
Because burnout isn't a personal failure.
It's feedback.
It's your body asking for something different.
And honestly sometimes the first step is simply naming what's happening.
Not fixing it immediately.
Not optimizing your way out of it.
Just recognizing oh I think I'm depleted.
And that awareness alone can soften a lot of shame.
And from there we can begin rebuilding differently.
Meet your Teacher
