Is It Burnout – Or Is Your Body Trying to Help You?

Do you ever feel like no matter how much rest you get, you're still tired? Or like you’re pushing through each day with less and less in the tank?

Most of us have been taught that burnout is a result of working too hard or not managing stress well enough. But I want to gently challenge that idea.

Because what I often see in my work — and in my own life — is that burnout is not a sign of weakness. It’s not a failure. And it’s not something you can just “think your way out of.”

It’s your body trying to help you.

🌿 Burnout Isn't Just About Stress — It's About Safety

Your nervous system is hardwired to keep you alive — not productive. When you’re under pressure (even low-level, long-term stress), your body moves into survival mode. That means increased cortisol, shallow breathing, sleep disturbances, reduced digestion — all ways your system is prioritising survival over balance.

But when that pressure doesn’t ease up? Your body eventually takes control. It slows you down, whether you like it or not. You might feel exhausted, foggy, snappy, or detached. You might feel “flat” but not understand why.

These are not just mental symptoms — they’re physiological responses. And they are valid.

🧠 The Role of the Subconscious in Burnout

The subconscious mind stores your early beliefs about safety, identity, and worth. Many people I work with are driven by unconscious patterns such as:

• “I need to prove myself constantly”

• “I can’t rest or I’ll fall behind”

• “If I say no, I’ll let people down”

• “I have to hold it all together”

Even if your conscious mind knows these things aren’t healthy or true, your subconscious might still be running the show — pushing you beyond your limits.

This is where tools like hypnotherapy and coaching come in. They help you gently access and shift these deep patterns so you’re no longer battling yourself.

💬 A Real-Life Client Example

Sophie (name changed for privacy) came to me feeling constantly depleted. She had reduced her work hours, was getting enough sleep, and had even started meditation. But the exhaustion didn’t lift.

During our sessions, we uncovered a long-held belief from childhood: that resting was lazy and made her “less than.” Her subconscious had equated productivity with love, safety, and success.

Over several sessions, we worked to rewrite this script — through gentle subconscious work, mind-body tools, and emotional release. Sophie began to feel safe being, not just doing.

She now tells me she can rest without guilt for the first time in years. And funnily enough — her energy has returned. Because her body no longer needs to scream to be heard.

🧬 Science Supports This Mind-Body Link

Research in psychoneuroimmunology — the study of how the mind influences the body — has shown that chronic stress impacts immune function, gut health, sleep quality and even hormone balance.¹

When we ignore the signals of the body, it responds by increasing the volume.

But when we listen — when we address the root cause, not just the symptom — the system can return to balance.

💛 Your Body Wants to Heal — Not Break Down

If you’re feeling burned out, anxious, or disconnected — it’s not because you’re broken. It’s because something in your system is asking for support.

And you don’t have to figure it out alone.

In my practice, I help people work with their subconscious beliefs, reconnect with their inner calm, and feel safe in their bodies again.

Whether you’re just beginning this journey or already deep in it, know this. Your body is not the enemy. It’s doing its best to keep you safe.

Let’s help it feel safe doing something different.

📍 Ready to explore?I offer in-person and online. Start with a no-pressure clarity call. Book at: www.teresasaunders.com

📚 Reference

1. Harvard Health Publishing – “Understanding the Stress Response”