In my first article on Coach360 News about Burnout, I highlight the heavy need for the coaching community to form a clear understanding of what burnout is so that we are better suited to support our clients in a world that is seemingly on fire right now. The rise of world chaos and environmental strain continues to plague communities and cause a need for wellness to take a front seat in everyone’s list of priorities right now. Familial, environmental, and workplace burnout weigh on clients in an overlapping manner. Mother figures and those who serve a caretaker role can feel an overwhelming sense of burnout throughout the day and may not receive the support they need to prevent issues related to it before they hit their lowest points. 

In Part 2 about Burnout, we will dive into how burnout can be presented through physiological or somatic means and break down the levels of burnout with their impact on movement. These physiological manifestations that can be triggered by burnout include:

Emotional Exhaustion: Feeling drained, overwhelmed, and unable to cope with daily demands.

Reduced Performance: Decreased productivity, feeling ineffective, and a lack of accomplishment.

Depersonalization: Developing a cynical or detached attitude toward work and colleagues.

Physical Symptoms: Experiencing chronic fatigue, headaches, or other stress-related ailments.

Behavioral Changes: Noticing increased irritability, withdrawal from responsibilities, or changes in sleep and eating habits.

Mental Health Impact: Experiencing anxiety, depression, or a sense of hopelessness.

Lack of Motivation: Losing interest or motivation in work and other previously enjoyed activities.

In addition to physiological responses in the body to depletion and burnout, the severity typically progresses through several levels, with each increase in severity significantly impacting a client’s physical movement and overall well-being:

Levels of Burnout

1. Honeymoon Phase
   • Symptoms: High energy, optimism, and job satisfaction.
   • Impact on Movement: Generally positive, with enthusiasm often leading to increased physical activity and engagement.
2. Onset of Stress
   • Symptoms: Awareness of some days being more difficult than others, with declining energy and enthusiasm.
   • Impact on Movement: May start to experience fatigue, leading to a reduction in physical activity and motivation to exercise.
3. Chronic Stress
   • Symptoms: Persistent stress, irritability, and decreased job satisfaction. Physical symptoms like headaches and muscle tension become more frequent.
   • Impact on Movement: Physical activity may decrease further as exhaustion sets in. Muscle tension and stress can cause discomfort during exercise, leading to reduced participation.
4. Burnout
   • Symptoms: Emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and feeling overwhelmed. Physical symptoms intensify, including sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, and frequent illnesses.
   • Impact on Movement: Significant reduction in physical activity. Chronic fatigue and physical discomfort make regular exercise challenging. Motivation to move can be almost non-existent.
5. Habitual Burnout
   • Symptoms: Chronic mental and physical fatigue, depression, and severe health problems.
   • Impact on Movement: Severe reduction or complete cessation of physical activity. Chronic health issues may develop, further hindering the ability to engage in movement or exercise.

Impact on Movement

• Physical Exhaustion: Persistent tiredness and lack of energy reduce the ability to engage in regular exercise or movement.
• Muscle Tension and Pain: Chronic stress can lead to muscle tension and pain, making physical activity uncomfortable.
• Reduced Motivation: Emotional exhaustion and decreased job satisfaction can result in a lack of motivation to stay active.
• Health Issues: Prolonged burnout can lead to more serious health problems like hypertension and cardiovascular disease, further impacting physical capabilities.

Recognizing the levels of burnout and their impact on movement can help individuals take steps to manage stress, maintain physical activity, and seek support when necessary.

As coaches who are tasked with being of service to their clients, along with being leaders in the health and wellness space we have a large role to play in supporting how someone manages burnout. We can be of the best service to others by checking in on:

1. How someone is coming into a session
2. Helping them to name how their level of fatigue is before engaging in movement (on a scale of 1-10)
3. Supporting their adjustment of movement and movement type depending on their day and their bandwidth

Every day is not the same, and every day has a different purpose with how movement is incorporated into someone’s day-to-day wellness routine. Encouraging grace and variation can feel validating to a client and encourage them to adapt to their daily routines. 

In a future article, we can take a deeper look at the Spoons Theory and how this speaks to understanding daily bandwidth along with supporting the disabled community.

References:

1. Gordon, S. (2023, December 18). What are the stages of burnout? Health. https://www.health.com/stages-of-burnout-8405010
2. Hammarström, P., Rosendahl, S., Gruber, M., & Nordin, S. (2023). Somatic symptoms in burnout in a general adult population. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 168, 111217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111217

Katrina is a global educator and Certified Wellness Specialist dedicated to bridging gaps through equitable access and collaborative coaching. With over 20 years of experience, she leads diverse teams, creates support groups, and mentors future leaders. Katrina specializes in Bias Unearthing, Neurodiversity Inclusion, and Intersectional Inclusion. She holds a Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, certificates in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell and USF, and an Associate of Science in Graphic Design. Katrina’s mission is to foster unity through self-care and compassion, making healing a path to deeper purpose and inclusivity.