Burnout is a state of chronic physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. In 2019, the World Health Organisation officially recognised burnout as a psychological syndrome resulting from chronic stress. It can include tension headaches, insomnia, muscle tension, lowered immunity, changes to appetite, feelings of being cut off or disconnected from others, severe exhaustion and hopelessness.
It is common to mistake stress for burnout, and vice versa, so it’s important to be aware of the differences between the two.
If you are stressed: you may experience over-engagement in work – you may micromanage or tend not to feel comfortable accepting help or saying no, you may experience overactive or reactive emotions – you may get frustrated easily, angry or you may cry at the slightest thing, you may feel a strong sense of urgency and hyperactivity, and you may experience severe anxiety. If you are experiencing burnout: you may be disengaged, your emotions may be blunted or numb, you may feel helpless or a sense of hopelessness, you may feel detached or depressed, unmotivated, or you may not want to engage with anyone or engage as little as possible.
Chronic stress in a demanding work or home environment, can eventually lead to burnout. The fast-paced, high-stress nature of today’s society, means that many people now experience burnout. In January 2025, Mental Health UK reported a “survey of 4,418 UK adults conducted by YouGov finds that the risk of burnout remains prevalent, with one in three (34%) adults experiencing high or extreme levels of pressure or stress ‘always’ or ‘often’ last year, compared with 35% the previous year. Meanwhile, nine in 10 (91%) experienced high pressure or stress at some point over the last year.”
To be classified as burnout, the experience usually involves three specific dimensions. 1) Exhaustion: You feel drained and lacking the energy to face another day of work. This is the physical and cognitive component. 2) Cynicism (Depersonalisation): You develop a cold, detached, or resentful attitude toward your job, your clients, or your colleagues. You might start feeling like you just don’t care anymore. 3) Reduced Professional Efficacy: You no longer feel competent, in other words, you do not feel like you are achieving anything, you no longer feel valued, and your productivity often drops even though you may be try to work harder. You may constantly doubt yourself, you feel like a failure, and you may feel trapped or defeated.
Burnout needs urgent attention. Addressing issues such as excessive workloads, a lack of resources and support, and misaligned values can be helpful starting point. (Misaligned values refers to a situation, primarily at work, where the core beliefs and principles that guide a companies actions do not match up with their real-life actions).
Establishing clear boundaries, learning to say “no” and disconnecting from work after hours, is really important. Talking to a manager or a trusted friend can help. Regular check-ins and flexible scheduling are good options, as well as psychological support. If you feel you are at risk of or currently experiencing burnout, you can make an appointment with your GP to talk about your options, or you can talk to a therapist. Take some time to prioritise the basics – sleep, diet and healthy movement and exercise are the foundations of a regulated nervous system.
How can Reiki help with burnout?
Reiki can be a really powerful tool for burnout, because it addresses the core issue – the dysregulated nervous system. Burnout can be stored in the body as a prolonged state of “flight or flight”, which means your cortisol and adrenaline levels are constantly high. Reiki triggers the body’s “rest and digest” function, slowing your heart rate, deepening your breathing and telling your brain that you are “safe”. When the body feels safe, it begins the repair process, which it is unable to do during a state of burnout or constant stress. Reiki gently breaks down anything unhelpful that is stored in the body – tension, stress, trauma – and regulates your emotions.
Reiki can help to clear mental fog, clutter, and overactive thoughts, and can improve sleep and your ability to rest deeply. It can help you to let go of resentment or numbness, helping you to come back into your body more fully. By clearing mental fog, you are able to see situations more clearly, making it easier for you to set boundaries and take the right steps forward for you.
Reiki is very grounding, and can help you feel more able to cope with people, and things that would usually cause you to feel overwhelmed or stressed. Reiki empowers you to put yourself first in a healthy way, to honour your needs and desires, and clears the way for you to live in alignment with what you truly want in life.
You can book a Reiki treatment with me:
LEOMINSTER, North Herefordshire – The Body Clinic Leominster – https://tinyurl.com/bethanvaughan
SHREWSBURY, Shropshire – Jenna Blair Yoga – DM me or book online: https://facesconsent.com/bookings/bethan-vaughan
ONLINE, I offer distance Reiki, which is just as effective as in-person Reiki – https://facesconsent.com/bookings/bethan-vaughan
Reiki works well in combination with other therapies, including Indian Head Massage, Soul Transformation Therapy (core issue healing) and Soul Plan Reading (life purpose guidance).
References:
Barberry and Bloom Holistic Therapies 
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