You Can’t Fight Fire with Fire: Addressing Burnout with Support and Care
Address burnout with support and care.
Are You Pushing Through Burnout?
When burnout hits, many of us think the best way out is pushing harder to clear out the fire and get to the end of it. We think “If I just get past this week or this project everything will be better.”
But burnout does not resolve by doing more, we cannot fight fire with fire. We need to soothe the flames not stoke them. Your body is asking you to pause, slow down, and rest.
What is Burnout Anyway?
Burnout is a state of chronic exhaustion when your body and nervous system are exposed to prolonged and repeated stress without the appropriate rest and recovery.
It often shows up as overwhelm, irritability, and numbness, Usually accompanied with the feelings of defeat, like there is no way out.
Common signs of burnout include:
Dreading activities you once enjoyed or could tolerate
Feeling disconnected, unmotivated, or emotionally flat
Persistent exhaustion — physically and emotionally — even after rest
A sense of being stuck or hopeless
Physical symptoms such as headaches, frequent illness, or disrupted sleep and appetite
You Can’t Fight Fire with Fire
When we try to grind our way through burnout we neglect our needs and focus only on the tasks and productivity. That approach deepens the exhaustion. To get back to baseline, we must meet our basic needs first.
Calm the Flames with Soothing and Restful Activities
Sometimes we lean toward distraction and escape activities that do not provide an opportunity for our nervous system to rest. Scary movies, intense video games, and thriller shows and movies keep our nervous system active and stimulated. Our goal is to soothe and give our nervous system a break.
Here are some activities that can help put out the flames of burnout:
Utilize micro-rest opportunities: Take short breaks throughout your day to focus on a single task or your breath. Try eating without scrolling, or cooking without a podcast playing. You are already doing these things so it won’t add another item to your calendar.
Nourish your body: Give your body what it needs - healthy regular meals, water, sunlight, and adequate sleep.
Release stored energy through movement: We hold the stress from our day in our bodies and it needs a place to go. Gentle stretching and short walks can help release tension from the day.
Reconnect with what matters: Burnout distances you from meaning and connection. Spend time with loved ones or rediscover what feels fulfilling in your work or hobbies.
It does not have to be extravagant or large overhauls. Small moments and give our nervous system to feel safe and work wonders.
You Deserve Rest
Rest isn’t a reward for finishing a project, it’s a requirement for sustaining one. When you notice signs of burnout, your body isn’t failing you; it’s communicating a need. Give it the care and compassion it deserves, that YOU deserve.
If you find yourself caught in cycles of burnout and feeling like giving up, therapy can help you rebuild balance and learn sustainable coping strategies.. Schedule a consultation today.