Navigating Burnout and Overload in a Stressful Modern World

So this month felt like the right time to really dive into something I’m seeing everywhere in my friends, in my clients, and honestly all over Instagram overwhelm and burnout.

By the end of 2025, it felt like there was an extra layer of pressure.

More pushing.

More expectations.

More hats to wear.

More places to be and,

More people wanting and needing so many aspects of me that i felt like i was about to collapse, and the main people I couldn't be there for, who I needed me were my kids.

2025 didn't just beat me up, it seems to have taken a real toll on so many people and their nervous systems.

With that in mind, I wanted to spend the end of January and into February bringing awareness to what overwhelm and burnout actually look like, and more importantly, offering gentle, practical tools to support yourself through it.

Towards the end of 2025, I started experimenting with a daily routine and ritual to regulate my nervous system and attempt to abolish that constant “tuning fork” feeling of being on edge. I used a mix of somatic practices, sensory deprivation, and simple mindful (and sometimes mindless) tools.

I committed to it daily and tracked the experience over four weeks to see what actually shifted.

Throughout January, I’ll be sharing on Instagram and Facebook what I noticed, what helped, and the benefits I experienced , so you can follow along, take what resonates, and adapt it for yourself.

Because burnout isn’t a personal failure it’s a nervous system response.

And support matters.

Signs your nervous system is stuck in survival mode:

Physical Symptoms: 

Muscle tension, pain, jaw clenching, headaches

Fatigue, wired, tired or exhausted

Sleep challenges

Digestive issues, bloating, nausea or loss of appetite

Increase change in HRV (Heart rate variability, increased heart rate, chest pain

Mental and Emotional symptoms

Increased irritability, fear anxiety

Feeling numb and detached 

Difficulty in concentrating

Easily upset

Lack of compassion

Behavioural Symptoms:

Withdrawing from family and friends or usual pastime activity

Maladaptive coping strategies - drugs alcohol, sex, shopping/eating

Anger outbursts with limited control

Inflexibility and inability to shut off or engage in playful past times

What can you do to help?

Recognise where new boundaries need to be enforced (with kindness)

Fill your cup with self regulation self care: This can look like saunas, massage, baths, yoga, dance, hikes…anything that brings you joy, keeps you connected to the community and doesn't exhaust you after.

Book in rest and actually REST minus the guilt- burnout does not equal productivity.

If there is guilt associated towards rest, then its even more important to tune

in to my posts the next few days to follow along with my personal challenge as how I am using new tools reduce the overwhelm impact of 2025.