We tend to think of burnout as the result of doing too much: too many deadlines, too many responsibilities, too many people needing us.
But in my work as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and trauma-informed coach in Palm Springs, I’ve come to understand a deeper truth:
Burnout isn’t just caused by too much work—
It’s caused by too little repair.
Too little connection.
Too few safe places to land.
Too long pretending we’re fine.
Your nervous system is trying to help you survive
We’re wired to regulate, to rest, to return to balance. But when you're always “on”—bracing, fixing, performing—your body doesn’t get the time or space it needs to complete the cycle. Instead, it starts to shut down or push harder.
Burnout becomes a loop.
And the only way out? It isn’t just subtracting what’s harmful.
It’s adding back in what’s been missing.
Here are five powerful things to add to your life that support burnout recovery through a somatic, trauma-informed lens:
1. Micro-moments of repair
You don’t need a 10-day retreat (although it can help 😉).
You need consistent, body-based signals of safety.
A slow exhale.
A hand on your chest.
Looking out the window and softening your gaze.
These tiny practices restore your nervous system in seconds—and help build capacity over time.
Burnout recovery begins with moments of presence, not massive life overhauls.
2. Relational safety
Burnout often comes with isolation—especially for high-achieving, compassionate women. We power through quietly, assuming it’s all on us.
But the nervous system is co-regulatory by design. We need safe connection to settle.
A trusted friend.
A somatic practitioner.
A group space that values authenticity over performance.
These are more than “nice to have.” They’re essential tools in somatic healing.
3. Ritual and rhythm
Burnout flattens time. One long stretch of “go” without pause.
But our bodies respond to predictable rhythm and simple rituals.
A candle before work.
Tea in the same mug.
A walk around the block after lunch.
These tiny anchors reintroduce a sense of internal steadiness. And over time, they begin to repattern your nervous system toward safety.
4. Somatic permission to pause
Knowing you should rest doesn’t mean you can.
Many people struggle to rest because rest doesn’t feel safe in their body.
This is where Somatic Experiencing and trauma-healing work comes in. We work gently, in small doses, to expand your window of tolerance so your body can begin to associate stillness with safety—not danger.
Rest becomes part of a natural, regulated state.
5. A story that honors your wholeness
Burnout is often rooted in invisible myths:
“I must earn my worth.”
“If I stop, it’ll all fall apart.”
“I’m only lovable when I’m useful.”
These stories live in the body, not just the mind. To truly recover, we need to rewrite the myth we’re living inside.
At my Myth & Meaning retreat in Greece, we use embodied practices, group work, and archetypal storytelling to help women uncover and reclaim more life-affirming narratives.
You are allowed to live a life that honors both your strength and your softness.
The bottom line?
Your nervous system isn’t broken.
It’s doing what it was designed to do: keep you safe.
But you were meant for more than survival.
You were meant for connection, ritual, breath, and beauty.
And it’s not too late to come home to yourself.
Ready to transform your burnout this summer?
Click here to learn more about the Myth & Meaning retreat in Greece.
