24/09/2025
This is a shocking statistic that you cannot ignore:
📊 85% of UK workers have experienced burnout or exhaustion, and 47% have taken time off for mental health reasons (Leone Centre / The Times).
Burnout happened to me, but I didn’t see it for what it was until I was forced to stop and take stock of everything. As a result, I changed my career, ended some relationships and gave myself permission to put self-care first.
If you are wondering if this may be impacting you, try asking yourself:
~ How aware am I of the messages my body and mind are sending me?
~ What would my loved ones say to me about the way I treat myself, how connected I am in my relationships, or how present I am in the moment?
🔥 Symptoms of Burnout
Burnout builds up over time, so is very sneaky. Here are the most common signs to watch for:
🧠 Mental & Emotional Signs
~ Chronic fatigue or lack of energy, even after rest
~ Irritability, impatience, or mood swings
~ Sense of detachment or numbness
~ Loss of motivation or enjoyment in work
~ Difficulty concentrating or forgetfulness
~ Negative self-talk or imposter syndrome
🏃♀️ Physical Signs
~ Frequent headaches, muscle tension, or digestive issues
~ Poor sleep (trouble falling or staying asleep)
~ Weakened immune system—frequent colds or illness
~ Appetite changes (eating more or less)
🍷Behavioural Signs
~ Increased absenteeism or lateness
~ Procrastination or missed deadlines
~ Withdrawing from social or professional interactions
~ Over-reliance on caffeine, alcohol, or stimulants to cope
🌱 Tips for Raising Awareness & Early Intervention
You don’t have to wait for burnout to break you—awareness can empower prevention.
♨️ Spot the Early Signs
~ Check in with yourself weekly—how are you really feeling, mentally and physically?
~ Ask: “Am I running on empty?”, “When was the last time I felt joy, or peace?”
🗣️ Talk About It
~ Share personal stories at work or in peer groups to normalise the conversation.
~ Encourage colleagues to speak up—burnout thrives in silence.
🪷 Use Empathetic Language
~ Replace “I should just cope” with “I deserve to pause and recharge.”
~ Show self-compassion: you're not failing, you're responding to overload.
🌳 Take Preventative Action
~ Build micro-moments of rest into your day (5-minute walks, deep breaths, screen breaks).
~ Set boundaries around emails, meetings, and working hours.
~ Invest in professional support—a coach, therapist, or peer mentor.
🪷 Coaching Can Help
I became a certified coach to support female founders and professionals to acknowledge and understand what is going on for you and respond compassionately, with courage, curiosity and connect back with who you are and what you want.
📞 Book a FREE Connection Call with me to discuss how I can support you: https://lnkd.in/eqNVWpXG
Let’s explore how you can move from burnout to balance—with courage, compassion, curiosity and connection.