Stressed and Stretched Too Thin? Here’s How to Recover from Burnout
You don’t need to be working 14-hour shifts or pulling all-nighters in the library to feel burnt out. Burnout doesn’t care if you’re climbing the corporate ladder, managing your home life, studying, parenting (or doing all of the above) It creeps in quietly and suddenly everything feels too intense. Your brain feels foggy, rest doesn’t feel restful, and even the fun stuff starts to feel like a chore.
At be.retreats, we see burnout a lot within people joining our community. The good news? There is a way back to yourself.
Here’s how to begin breaking free from burnout (without needing to quit your job or move to a remote island - unless you want to, of course):
1. Say It How It Is
The first step to breaking free of burnout is acknowledging it. Burnout isn’t just being tired - it’s mental, emotional, and physical depletion. It might look like snappiness, brain fog, detachment, or wanting to cry when someone asks what’s for dinner. Whether it’s work, university, caregiving, or simply life overload – call it what it is. You’re not lazy or unmotivated - you’re simply carrying too much.
2. Busy Isn’t Always Good
Somewhere along the way, society has convinced us that constantly being booked and busy was a sign of success. It’s not when everything feels heavy and you’re overwhelmed. It’s a sign that your boundaries need reinforcing. Rest is productive and saying no is powerful. Doing less doesn’t mean you care less, it means you’re human.
3. Audit Your Energy, Not Just Your Time
To-do lists are great but what about an energy list? Start noticing what drains you vs. what fills your cup. A five-minute walk might lift your spirits more than an hour of scrolling on social media. Talking to a friend might energise you more than crossing off a small task on your ever-growing list. Burnout thrives when everything feels equally as urgent as the next so learn to prioritise energy and not just your output.
4. Think of Small Moments of Care
You don’t need an expensive holiday or a full weekend off to feel a shift in your mindset. Try small, repeated acts of self-care:
• A slower morning where you don’t immediately check your phone
• Journalling your thoughts before bed (even just one line makes a big difference!)
• Stepping outside for some fresh air between meetings or classes
• Saying "no thanks" when things don’t feel right for you without feeling the need to over-explain
All of these small moments add up. They signal to your nervous system that it’s okay and you’re allowed to pause.
5. Find Joy Outside of Productivity
If your only source of happiness is ticking things off or doing things for others, it’s time to reconnect with joy for joy’s sake. Do something that has zero outcome: dance in your room, paint what your heart desires, take photos of flowers that aren’t for social media, be kind topeople without an agenda. You’re allowed to do things that exist just to make you feel good.
6. Listen To Yourself
Burnout often drowns out your own voice. You forget what you want. You stop trusting your intuition. That’s why so many women find healing on our retreats -it’s not just about fitnessor travel. It’s about having space to hear yourself again.
7. Be Around People Who Get It
Burnout can feel really isolating, but you’re not the only one. Whether it’s a friend, a support group, or a retreat full of kind strangers who instantly get it, finding safe spaces to share your truth can be a game-changer. You don’t have to go through anything alone.
8. Let Rest Be Enough
You don’t have to earn your rest. You don’t need to prove how exhausted you are to deserve care. Doing nothing isn’t wasting time - it's healing, it’s recalibrating. It’s respecting what works best for you.
A Final Note from be.retreats
At be.retreats, we regularly see women who arrive on trips feeling completely drained - and leave feeling reconnected to themselves. But burnout isn’t just about taking time off and going away; it’s about making intentional space for rest, support, and real recovery. Whether you're dealing with work stress, personal overload, or simply feeling like you’re stuck, remember it's okay to take a step back, set boundaries, and prioritise your well-being above all else.
