āWhen Passion Becomes Painā
You once loved your work. Now, even the thought of it drains you.
Youāre tired, not just in your bodyābut in your soul.
Thatās not laziness. Thatās burnout.
š„ Itās time we stop glorifying exhaustion and start protecting our well-being.
š§ Slide 2: What is Burnout?
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stressāespecially related to work.
According to the World Health Organization, burnout is:
āA syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.ā
Itās not weakness. Itās not failure.
Itās a red flag from your mind and body screaming: āI need rest. I need change.ā
ā ļø Slide 3: What Causes Burnout?
The roots of burnout run deep. Itās not just about long hoursāitās about feeling trapped, unvalued, or powerless.
Top causes include:
- ā³ Chronic overwork or unrealistic demands
- š¤ Lack of control or autonomy at work
- š Feeling unappreciated or unsupported
- āļø Poor work-life boundaries
- šÆ Lack of clarity or meaning in the work
- š Emotional laborāespecially in healthcare, teaching, caregiving
š Over time, these stressors wear down your motivation, joy, and even your sense of identity.
ā Slide 4: How Do You Know If You Have Burnout?
Burnout isnāt just feeling tiredāitās deep depletion. Watch for:
š© Emotional Signs:
- Feeling cynical, hopeless, or detached
- Loss of motivation or passion
- Emotional numbness or mood swings
š© Physical Signs:
- Constant fatigue, insomnia
- Frequent headaches, GI problems
- Weakened immune system
š© Mental & Behavioral Signs:
- Poor concentration and forgetfulness
- Reduced performance
- Isolating from others or avoiding work
š§ You feel like you’re ājust survivingāānot living.
š ļø Slide 5: How to Overcome Burnout
You can healāand rebuild stronger. Hereās how:
- Pause & Reflect
- Take a break. Re-evaluate your life and priorities.
- Ask: What am I doing out of fear, not purpose?
- Set Boundaries
- Say ānoā more often.
- Protect time for rest, family, and hobbies.
- Practice Daily Self-Care
- Sleep 7ā9 hours
- Exercise regularly
- Eat nourishing food
- Practice mindfulness or prayer
- Reclaim Purpose
- Reconnect with what gives your work meaning
- Celebrate small wins
- Seek Support
- Talk to a friend, coach, or mental health professional
- You’re not alone. Burnout thrives in silenceābut heals through connection.
š± Slide 6: Preventing Burnout for the Long Haul
You donāt have to crash to make a change.
- Take microbreaks during the day
- Create “digital sabbaths” weekly
- Schedule joy and play like appointments
- Surround yourself with people who lift you up, not drain you
- Advocate for healthier work environments
ā³ Remember: burnout isnāt a badge of honorāitās a warning sign.
š¬ Slide 7: Final Words ā You Deserve to Thrive, Not Just Survive
āBurnout doesnāt mean youāre broken. It means youāve been too strong for too long.ā
šļø Give yourself permission to rest. To recalibrate. To choose peace over pressure.
Because your well-being is your greatest asset.
When you heal, everyone around you benefits.
Letās build a world where rest is sacred, and where work fuels lifeānot drains it.
š References
- WHO. Burn-out an āoccupational phenomenonā. World Health Organization. Link
- Maslach C, Leiter MP. The Truth About Burnout: How Organizations Cause Personal Stress and What to Do About It. Jossey-Bass, 1997.
- Koutsimani P, Montgomery A, Georganta K. The Relationship Between Burnout, Depression, and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 2019.
- Health.com. How Microbreaks Can Help Prevent Burnout. Link
- Verywell Mind. How to Recover From Burnout. Link
