From Burnout to Balance w/ Meenu

#167: When was the last time you sat in your car, unable to walk into your house because you knew more responsibilities awaited inside? Or found yourself unable to enjoy simple pleasures because your mind kept racing with work-related thoughts? These are just a couple of the warning signs of burnout that we explore in this deeply personal and timely conversation. Drawing from our experiences as professionals in high-burnout fields—nursing and trauma coaching—we pull back the curtain on what burnout really feels like from the inside. The statistics are staggering: 30-60% of nurses experience burnout (with ER and ICU nurses at highest risk), while 40-60% of mental health professionals face similar challenges, particularly those working with trauma survivors. We dive into the physical manifestations of burnout (chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, frequent illness) alongside the more subtle emotional signs that often go unrecognized until they"ve reached critical levels. Perhaps most revealing is our honest discussion about compassion fatigue—that moment when dedicated professionals find themselves thinking, "I don"t care why you"re here, I just want to go home," and the shame that accompanies such thoughts. Cultural factors play a significant role in how we perceive work and rest. While American culture often glorifies overwork, we contrast this with perspectives from European and Mexican work cultures that prioritize boundaries and balance. This conversation explores how these cultural narratives shape our personal expectations and contribute to burnout cycles. Most importantly, we offer practical, tried-and-tested strategies for both preventing and recovering from burnout: controlling workload, prioritizing recovery, establishing clear boundaries, making career adjustments when necessary, and seeking support. The oxygen mask principle becomes our north star—you must secure your own wellbeing before effectively caring for others. Whether you"re already experiencing burnout symptoms or want to prevent them, this episode provides validation, perspective, and actionable steps to reclaim your energy and passion. Remember: setting boundaries isn"t selfish—it"s essential for sustainable service to others. Find Meenu here: https://www.instagram.com/transcendencebymeenu/ https://linktr.ee/meenuananthh?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaaI3RMDF6f_0JTwy9njR0EiVtqX0bQK3ym9R8GGZQJueTfFJd6PO6VlGo_aem_vJyDOO55KoylixfkUuhUGA You can now send us a text to ask a question or review the show. We would love to hear from you! PodMatch PodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews Follow me on social: https://www.instagram.com/babbles_nonsense/