My husband and I have had the same knife set for 24 years. Over time, the chef’s knife I used every time I cooked became dull, frustrating, and hard to handle but I didn’t notice the change. I just pushed through. Burnout can be similar. It creeps up gradually, often going undetected, and makes life harder to navigate.
Burnout is one of those buzzwords that gets tossed around in pop culture until its true meaning is watered down. But if you’ve ever experienced it, you know it’s serious and destabilizing. As we head back into the fall grind, before we lose ourselves in the inevitable demands, it’s worth looking at how a little preventative care can help.
According to a 2025 study by the Interview Guys, 82% of employees are at risk of burnout, costing businesses 322 billion dollars a year in lost productivity. With numbers like that, we need to take it seriously.
So what is burnout?
Burnout is an occupational (not medical) condition that comes from prolonged stress and leads to physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. We often think of it as a workplace issue, but it can just as easily show up in parenting, caregiving, school, or any ongoing responsibility that feels relentless. Even caring for those precious bundles of joy we love to bits (or in my case an emotional high school senior… send help!) can overwhelm us to the point of burnout.
What is the personal cost?
There’s no shortage of ways burnout can chip away at your well-being. Some common setbacks include loss of joy and purpose, reduced cognitive functioning (think focus, memory, decision-making), exhaustion, disconnection from others, and higher risk of depression and anxiety. On top of that, burnout can lead to poor sleep, lowered immunity, isolation, distorted self-perception, decreased self-esteem, and weaker work performance. In short, the personal costs are enormous. And ain’t nobody got no time for that.
Tips for prevention:
Maintain connections: Isolation both fuels burnout and is a symptom of it. Make time for people you care about.
Set boundaries: Know your limits and make space for rest, self-care, and personal time.
Get support: Whether from a partner, family member, friend, community resource, church, or therapy, seek out the support you deserve.
Practice self-compassion: When things get tough, we can be our own worst critic. Meet setbacks with kindness and understanding. Let go of the need to do it all. Sometimes good enough really is good enough.
When to get help
If rest doesn’t leave you feeling rested, it’s time to get support. Pay attention to constant exhaustion, irritability, increased conflicts, loss of joy, declining performance, and physical symptoms. If you feel detached from loved ones, hopeless, or like escaping, reach out for professional help.
Once my husband and I finally got our chef’s knife sharpened, prepping dinner became less frustrating and meals got better (mostly because I wasn’t about to throw a dull knife across the room anymore). You can’t keep cutting through life without maintenance. Staying sharp requires the rest and care your body, mind, and soul need. Pay attention to the clues and take the steps you need to keep burnout from taking over.
To learn more about how to prevent or manage burnout email me or call me at 917.476.9381.
