Burnout: How I Reclaimed My Health and Wellbeing
There was a time when I genuinely believed feeling exhausted was simply part of life.
As a Registered Nurse, I spent years caring for others, managing responsibilities, working long hours, and constantly putting other people's needs before my own. Like many people, I became so accustomed to feeling tired, overwhelmed, and emotionally drained that I stopped questioning whether it was normal.
I told myself I just needed to keep going.
The problem was that no amount of determination seemed to make things better.
What Burnout Felt Like for Me
Burnout isn't always obvious.
For me, it wasn't simply feeling tired after a busy week. It was a persistent feeling of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that never seemed to improve, even after rest.
Some of the symptoms I experienced included:
- Constant fatigue
- Low energy levels
- Poor concentration and brain fog
- Feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks
- Reduced motivation
- Increased stress and anxiety
- Recurring infections
- Hormonal imbalance
- Difficulty prioritising my own wellbeing
I found myself running on empty while continuing to meet the demands of work, family life, and everyday responsibilities.
Many people experiencing burnout do exactly the same.
Why Burnout Happens
Burnout can develop gradually over time.
It often occurs when the demands placed upon us consistently exceed the time, energy, and emotional resources we have available.
Common contributing factors can include:
- Workplace stress
- Long working hours
- Caring responsibilities
- Poor sleep
- Lack of exercise
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Chronic stress
- Feeling unable to switch off
- Constantly putting other people first
Often, people don't realise how much they are struggling until their body starts forcing them to slow down.
My Recovery Journey
Recovery didn't happen overnight.
There wasn't one single treatment or quick fix that suddenly made everything better.
Instead, I gradually began making changes that supported my overall health and wellbeing.
These included:
- Prioritising sleep
- Improving my nutrition
- Losing excess weight
- Becoming more physically active
- Learning to slow down
- Setting healthier boundaries
- Making time for self-care
- Addressing vitamin deficiencies where appropriate
- Allowing myself permission to rest
The biggest change was recognising that looking after myself wasn't selfish.
For years, I focused on supporting everyone else while neglecting my own wellbeing. Once I started making my health a priority, I began noticing improvements in my energy, resilience, mood, and overall quality of life.
Today, I feel like a completely different person from the one who believed exhaustion was simply something I had to accept.
Supporting Others Through Their Own Wellbeing Journey
My experience with burnout is one of the reasons I created Vitality Balance.
I understand how difficult it can be when you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the person you used to be.
While everyone's circumstances are different, I believe wellbeing should be approached holistically. Small, sustainable changes can often have a significant impact over time.
Through reflexology and vitamin support, my aim is to provide a calm, supportive environment where people can take time for themselves, focus on their wellbeing, and begin prioritising their own health again.
A Gentle Reminder
If you're feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or constantly running on empty, please know that it doesn't have to be your normal forever.
Recovery may not happen overnight, but positive change is possible.
Sometimes the first step is simply acknowledging that you deserve the same care and attention that you so willingly give to everyone else.
About the Author
Nicola is a Registered Nurse with over 20 years of clinical experience, a qualified Clinical Reflexologist, and an Independent Prescriber. Through Vitality Balance, she provides professional vitamin injections and reflexology treatments in Ellesmere Port, helping clients prioritise their health and wellbeing through a personalised and holistic approach.
Important Information
Burnout can share symptoms with a range of physical and mental health conditions. Anyone experiencing ongoing fatigue, low mood, or other concerning symptoms should seek advice from their GP or healthcare professional. Reflexology and vitamin injections are complementary wellness services and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure medical conditions.