When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to assume you’re “just stressed.” After all, modern life is super stressful so most of us experience stress from time to time. But if you’ve been feeling exhausted for weeks or months, struggling to switch off and no longer feeling like yourself, you may be experiencing something more than stress.
Burnout is becoming increasingly common, particularly among women who are trying to balance demanding careers, family life and the constant pressure to keep everything running smoothly. The good news is that support is available, and online hypnotherapy can be an effective way to help you regain a sense of calm and control.
Stress and burnout aren’t the same
Stress is your body’s natural response to pressure. Whether it’s a busy week at work, caring for family members or dealing with unexpected life events, stress activates your body’s “fight or flight” response. Stress is not always a negative thing, in fact we need a certain level of stress in order to be able to function but what our bodies are not capable of dealing with is stress over prolonged periods of time.
In the short term, stress can actually be helpful. It keeps you focused, alert and ready to deal with challenges. Pressures drop, stress reduces and we are back to functioning as we would expect.
Burnout, however, develops when stress becomes a constant companion and your mind and body never have the chance to recover. Your body will start to send you signals that things are not ok but these are often dismissed or even taken as weaknesses so you try to push through more.
Instead of feeling energised by pressure, you begin to feel emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted.
Signs you may be experiencing burnout
Burnout often develops gradually, making it easy to miss the warning signs.
You may notice that you:
- Waking up feeling tired, even after what appears to be a full night’s sleep
- Find it difficult to concentrate or remember simple things, maybe even just zoning out
- Feel emotionally drained or detached, it seems like everyone just wants a piece of you all of the time
- Have lost motivation for work or activities you once enjoyed or difficulty starting tasks you know are important
- Feel overwhelmed by even small tasks or having to make decisions.
- Become irritable, snappy or tearful more easily.
- Feel like you’ve lost confidence in yourself and that you are failing
Many people describe burnout as feeling like they’re constantly running on empty. From personal experience I can tell you that every day felt like I was drowning and that my only way out was to run off into the forest or find my own desert island!
Why it’s so difficult to “just relax”
One of the most frustrating things about burnout is that rest doesn’t always seem to help.
You might take a weekend off, enjoy a holiday or have an early night, only to wake up feeling exactly the same. The sense of pressure never ends and you are never truly in the moments that you are trying to enjoy, just going through the motions.
That’s because burnout affects more than your energy levels. It can leave your nervous system stuck in a heightened state of alert, making it difficult for both your mind and body to truly relax.
This is why well-meaning advice like “just slow down” or “take some time for yourself” often isn’t enough. Whilst the message in principle is sound the reality is that there is no opportunity to fully switch off or delegate tasks, they all require your focus and attention all off the time.
How online hypnotherapy can help with burnout
I spent hours trying to find the answers to my problems – work harder, earn more, be better. Not once did it cross my mind that doing less would help me to do more. I suffered for over a year before I stumbled across an advert for hypnotherapy that changed my life.
Online hypnotherapy works by helping you access a deeply relaxed state where your mind is more receptive to positive change. For many people experiencing stress or burnout, online hypnotherapy provides an opportunity to step out of survival mode and begin calming an overactive nervous system. Once your mind steps out of that zone your intellectual brain steps in to help you make positive changes based on what you do want in your life rather than focusing on what you don’t want.
As a consequence, you begin to notice:
- Improved sleep
- Less overthinking
- Greater emotional resilience
- Increased confidence
- A renewed sense of calm
- The ability to cope with challenges more effectively
- Most importantly – the ability to make decisions that will help you to take control of your life
Because sessions take place online, you can access support from the comfort of your own home without adding extra travel or pressure to an already busy schedule. Many clients find that being in familiar surroundings helps them relax more easily during hypnotherapy.
Is online hypnotherapy as effective as face-to-face?
This is one of the questions I’m asked most often.
For many people, online hypnotherapy is just as effective as meeting in person. As long as you have a quiet space, a comfortable chair and a reliable internet connection, the therapeutic process remains the same.
In fact, many clients prefer online sessions because they can immediately continue relaxing afterwards instead of driving home!1
Research has also found that therapy delivered online can be effective for a range of common mental health concerns, making it a convenient option for many people.
Recovery starts before breaking point
Unfortunately, the common thing I see with burnout is that you have to completely fall apart before asking for help.
You don’t.
That was my story and I am on a mission to ensure that we recognise the signs of burnout sooner.
If you’re constantly exhausted, overwhelmed or feeling disconnected from the person you used to be, those feelings matter and are telling you something needs to change.
Seeking support early can help prevent burnout from becoming even more deeply ingrained.
How I can help
At Thistle Green Hypnotherapy, I provide online hypnotherapy for women who feel overwhelmed, burnt out or stuck in survival mode. Together, we’ll explore what’s keeping your mind on high alert and help you develop calmer, healthier responses to the pressures of everyday life.
Every session is tailored to you, providing a safe, supportive space where lasting change can begin.
If you’re ready to find out whether online hypnotherapy is right for you, I’d love to help. You can book an Initial Consultation to discuss your goals, ask any questions and discover how we can work together from the comfort of your own home.
If you would like some practical self help strategies alongside therapy, the NHS also provides guidance on coping with stress and burnout.
If you are ready to book in with me then click here for my latest availability.
