Healing Burnout: Identifying and Addressing the Root Cause

Exhausted. Withdrawn. Irritable. Unmotivated.

You have reached a breaking point, but what is this feeling?

Burnout is more than just feeling tired – it all encompasses your life. It can stem from work, social commitments, or family stressors.

But what do you do when you get to this point?

We’re discussing what burnout is, where it comes from, and how to help get you back to a healthy, thriving life.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Burnout: More Than Just Exhaustion
• The Root Causes of Burnout: What’s Really Behind the Strain?
• How To Heal From Burnout: 5 Steps Toward Recovery and Renewal
• Moving Forward: Preventing Burnout in the Future
• Heal From Burnout With Sedona Mago Center for Well-Being and Retreat

Understanding Burnout: More Than Just Exhaustion

Reaching the point of being burnt out is something no one wants to experience. It manifests itself in different ways depending on the situation. It may even be hard to distinguish if you are feeling a lot of stress or reaching a point of being burnt out.

With stress, it is a reaction to a difficulty or need. It is often temporary and can be resolved as situations resolve: you reach the deadline of an assignment, you get to your destination, you solve a problem between a family member, etc. Most of these provide immediate relief. When you are stressed, you can typically step away to take breaths or restructure a plan to help you feel better about the situation.

Some physical symptoms of stress may be stomach issues, headaches, fatigue, and high blood pressure.

Burnout is the result of prolonged stress on the body. Many times with burnout, you may feel exhausted, withdrawn, and quick to anger. Burnout is more than just being tired — it may impact every part of your life physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Overcoming burnout often requires determining the root cause of the issue and working through it. It may require physical touch, changes in habits, time away, and therapy.

The Common Symptoms of Burnout

High-stress situations can sometimes lead to burnout, so it’s important to recognize the signs. Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Lack of motivation
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Physical issues like headaches, stomach problems, or trouble sleeping

Symptoms vary from person to person, and treatment depends on the individual and the severity of the condition. Don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare provider if you’re experiencing any of these signs.

The Root Causes of Burnout: What’s Really Behind the Strain?

When addressing burnout, it may be difficult to know where to start. One of the best options may be to start your healing journey by identifying any stressors in your life that aren’t something you can simply overcome.

Some of these stressors could be:

• High-pressure career
• Unrealistic expectations in all parts of life (work, parenting, etc)
• A lack of work-life balance
• Poor self–care habits
• Trauma or unresolved emotional issues

Once you can identify your root cause, this will help you to focus on which parts of your life need work. Finding your root cause is essential for long-term healing.

Let’s look at what we’ve found to be some of the most common causes of burnout and ways that may help you reduce stress and potentially prevent burnout from happening again.

Chronic Stress and Overworking: How Modern Work Culture Contributes

Modern-day work culture may be a huge culprit in many cases of burnout. The pressure may often come from your company, coworkers, or even yourself. Not allowing any downtime and overscheduling yourself may lead to devastating results in your life.

A study done by The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) on Employee Mental Health in 2024 found that “44 percent of 1,405 surveyed U.S. employees feel burned out at work, 45 percent feel “emotionally drained” from their work, and 51 percent feel “used up” at the end of the workday.”

Why is this such an issue in the workplace? Some reasons may include:

• Long work hours
• Lack of work-life balance
• High demands
• The need to always be available

Identifying any of these triggers in your work environment can help you set healthy boundaries to make your work experience less stressful. Some healthy boundaries include sticking to normal work hours, asking for help or clarification on projects, or limiting any extra work you add to your plate.

Emotional Overload: The Impact of Unresolved Feelings

Carrying the heavy weight of emotional overload on top of daily stressors can often lead to burnout.

Emotional overload is when conflicting or overwhelming feelings stop someone from making a decision or concentrating on a task. It can present itself in many ways and come from various situations. Unresolved feelings, inability to process grief, and anxiety can lead to emotional overload.

How can emotional overload lead to burnout?

When you are dealing with emotional stressors over a long period of time, the exhaustion may wear down your ability to cope with any other stressors thrown your way. For some this may even lead to withdrawing from everyday activities in life and a lack of motivation.

Lifestyle Factors: Neglecting Self-Care and Boundaries

Self-care is essential for avoiding burnout. If you neglect yourself, you aren’t allowing your body to rest and work properly, which may cause your body to go into overdrive.

Important ways that you can prioritize self-care and fuel your body in a positive way include:

• Setting boundaries personally and professionally
• Getting enough sleep
• Healthy diet
• Adding exercise into your routine
• Make time for relaxation

How To Heal From Burnout: 5 Steps Toward Recovery and Renewal

You recognize that the stress in your life is not just everyday stress but is burnout. You want to feel better, but how do you move forward? We have five ways to help you heal your burnout and get you to a healthy place.

#1: Acknowledging the Root Cause: The First Step To Healing

Before any work can be done to heal from your burnout, it is important to address your root cause. This requires a deeper look into issues consistently causing you stress but ignored. Journaling can be a great way to keep track of triggers and how you respond to them. By journaling, you can address your root cause and see any victories you have on your healing journey.

Sometimes, talking your feelings and thoughts out can greatly impact your mental state. Consider seeking out help from a licensed and trained therapist. A therapist can help walk you through the things that are causing burnout, provide tangible ways to work through them and assist you in your healing journey.

Sedona Mago Center For Well-Being and Retreat offers many programs that can aid in healing burnout. Consider joining us for our Wellness Coaching services, which allow our coaches to meet with you one-on-one to discuss your needs and make a plan for healing.

#2: Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Techniques for Calm

Introducing mindfulness techniques can be life-changing and may even help with healing from burnout. Some helpful mindfulness practices are:

• Meditation
• Deep breathing exercises
• Yoga

These practices can help calm the nervous system from overdrive — if you’re feeling like you’re constantly in “fight or flight,” mindfulness techniques may be just what you need — and support emotional recovery.

Practicing mindfulness may also lead to more self-awareness, calmer responses to triggers, and better insight into your needs. Taking the opportunity to pause, breathe, and reflect on your day can make a big difference in your healing journey.

#3: Restoring Balance: The Power of Self-Care and Boundaries

Prioritizing self-care has many benefits for your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Self-care isn’t a one-size-fits-all practice. For some, it could mean making sure they get a shower every single day. For others, it may look like prioritizing 20 minutes of alone time every evening.

Oftentimes, when someone is burnt out, figuring out what to do as “self-care” can feel exhausting in itself; consider doing some of the following:

• Taking a daily walk
• Exercising
• Prioritizing 7-8 hours of sleep
• Eat healthy, balanced meals
• Set realistic goals
• Practice gratitude
• Set healthy boundaries

By prioritizing self-care, you will allow yourself to focus on positive activities that can support your body and mind during the healing process.

#4: Seeking Professional Help: When To Talk to a Therapist or Coach

Seeking therapy to discuss your past and work on ways to move forward can be beneficial for healing from burnout. Reasons to see a therapist for burnout may include:

• Trauma
• Relationship issues
• Unresolved grief
• Stress

Having a safe space to discuss one’s emotional and mental stress can be very beneficial for someone navigating their burnout journey. Many times, therapists can aid in identifying triggers, suggesting a plan to move forward, and even suggesting further treatment if your burnout is causing mental health issues such as depression.

#5: Restorative Retreats: Taking Time To Recharge and Reconnect

Taking time away can be so helpful when healing from burnout.

One of the more popular ways to disconnect and recharge is by attending a wellness retreat, such as Sedona Mago Center For Wellbeing and Retreat. When attending one of our retreats, you will get the opportunity to work through your triggers and learn tools to handle them confidently. Finding a retreat focusing on mindfulness, relaxation, and self-care can provide the space you need for deep healing.

Moving Forward: Preventing Burnout in the Future

As you move forward and heal from burnout, preventing it from creeping back in is important. It is possible to live a life without burnout, but work does need to be done to stay in a healthy and mindful place. Make sure you:

• Do check-ins on your physical and mental well-being
• Take necessary breaks
• Prioritize self-care

Building a Sustainable Lifestyle for Long-Term Well-Being

Recovering from burnout is empowering, but staying well requires intentional effort. Prioritize self-care and establish boundaries to prevent slipping back into old patterns. Pay attention to triggers and root causes, ensuring they don’t take control of your life.

Regularly reflect on your journey—where you started, what you’ve overcome, and where you are now. By making yourself a priority, you can safeguard your well-being and reduce the risk of future burnout.

Heal From Burnout With Sedona Mago Center for Well-Being and Retreat

Healing from burnout is easier with the right support.

Sedona Mago offers tailored wellness programs that include mindfulness practices, guided meditation, and holistic activities to support your recovery. Our experienced team is here to understand your needs and help you take the next step toward lasting balance and well-being.