How to Tell If You’re Burned Out (vs. Just Unmotivated) And What Your Body Is Trying to Say

“How do I know when to rest? How do I know if I’m burned out or just not motivated?”
These are the questions I hear almost daily from high-achieving women, moms, and leaders who feel like they’re carrying the world on their shoulders.

And honestly? They’re valid questions.
Because in our culture of go, go, go, it’s almost too easy to normalize exhaustion and call it “being busy.”

But your body is always speaking. The real work is learning how to listen.

Burnout vs. Lack of Motivation: What’s the Difference?

Lack of motivation feels like:

I know what I should do, I just don’t feel like doing it.
You bargain with yourself (“Later. Tomorrow. Monday.”)
You still have energy, you’re just mentally resisting.

Burnout, on the other hand, feels like:

Your mind is foggy
Your body is heavy
You’re tired even after sleeping
Everything feels overwhelming
The smallest tasks feel like climbing a mountain

If your brain and body feel drained, not just resistant, you’re not being lazy, you’re burned out.

And that’s your body whispering, “I need help.”

Common Signs of Burnout

Burnout isn’t always a dramatic collapse.
Often, it sneaks in quietly and slowly tightens its grip.

Here are the most common signs:

Mental + Emotional Signs

Trouble focusing
Feeling detached or numb
Irritability or short fuse
Overwhelm at simple tasks
Anxiety that won’t settle
Feeling like you’re “on autopilot”
Loss of joy in things you used to love

Physical Signs

Exhaustion even after rest
Headaches or migraines
Aches and tension in your neck, back, or shoulders
Changes in appetite
More frequent colds
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Hormonal symptoms intensifying

Behavioral Signs

Increased sugar, caffeine, or alcohol cravings
Emotional eating
Avoiding friends or fun
Snapping at loved ones
Procrastination from overwhelm
Feeling stuck but unable to stop

The Soul-Level Signs

These are the ones women ignore the most:

Feeling disconnected from yourself
Losing your sense of purpose
Feeling like you’re “going through the motions”
Feeling resentful, trapped, or empty

If these resonate you’re not alone, and nothing is wrong with you.
You’re simply over capacity.

So… When Do You Know It’s Time to Rest?

Here’s a simple rule I teach clients:

**If your energy is low… rest.

If your motivation is low… get curious.
If both are low… you’re burned out.**

Your body will always tell you when you’re doing too much.
The problem?
We override it with caffeine, productivity, and guilt.

Try asking yourself these grounding questions:

Would rest help me more than pushing through?
Am I mentally resisting, or physically incapable?
If my daughter felt like this, what would I tell her?
Is this resistance or depletion?

Your body isn’t the enemy.
It’s your messaging system.

Why Burnout Happens

Burnout is simply what happens when:

Energy output > Energy input

This is why so many women (especially moms, caregivers, and leaders) hit the wall.

We are conditioned to give, nurture, support, fix, and manage…
and then feel guilty for needing anything ourselves.

As a mom myself, I know this too well.
Those early years? Exhaustion is practically a personality trait.

But chronic burnout isn’t a badge of honor.
It’s a sign you need support, nourishment, and actual replenishment; physically, emotionally, and energetically.

Solutions: How to Support Your Body, Mind & Energy Before You Hit the Wall

Burnout recovery doesn’t require a complete life overhaul, it requires intentional shifts.

Here are core solutions to help you come back into balance:

1. Rest Before You’re Forced To

Permission slip:
You’re allowed to rest without earning it.

Start with:

A 20-minute “reset nap”
Going to bed 30 minutes earlier
Doing nothing for one full hour on the weekend
Saying no (without a paragraph of justification)

Your nervous system will thank you.

2. Rebuild Your Energy with Nourishment

Burnout often disguises itself as food cravings such as sugar, carbs, alcohol, caffeine because your body is begging for fuel.

Support your energy with:

Balanced meals (protein + fibre + healthy fats)
Magnesium glycinate for relaxation and sleep
B-complex vitamins for mood + energy
Omega-3s for mental clarity
Adaptogens like ashwagandha or rhodiola for stress
Electrolytes to combat fatigue
L-theanine for calm focus
Vitamin D for mood regulation

You don’t need every supplement, but the right ones can truly shift your energy.

3. Regulate Your Nervous System

When you’re overwhelmed, your body flips into survival mode.

Try incorporating:

Deep belly breathing
Slow walks outside
Leg-up-the-wall for 5 minutes
Warm baths with Epsom salts
Journaling before bed

These reset your stress response and bring your system back into balance.

4. Create Boundaries You Actually Stick To

Burnout thrives in the absence of boundaries.

Try:

Not checking emails after dinner
Leaving work on time
Asking for help without apologizing
Saying “I’m at capacity”
Delegating (yes, even at home)

Boundaries aren’t mean.
They’re maintenance.

5. Reconnect With Yourself

Burnout disconnects you from the parts of you that feel alive.

Reconnect through:

A hobby that exists for joy, not productivity
A morning ritual that grounds you
A passion project
Time alone without guilt
Talking with a coach or support person

When you reconnect with yourself, you reconnect with your energy.

6. Notice the Cravings

Sugar cravings?
Alcohol cravings?
Online-shopping-at-11pm cravings?

Those aren’t “bad habits.”
They’re communication.

Your body is saying:
“I’m overwhelmed and I need relief.”

Understanding your cravings is often the first step toward balancing food, energy, and emotional patterns.

7. Rediscover What You’re Meant to Be Doing

Burnout often shows up when you’re misaligned, doing too much of what drains you and not enough of what lights you up.

Freedom isn’t about doing nothing.
It’s about doing what feels meaningful.

When women find their purpose, they don’t work less, they work from a place of vitality, not depletion.

Here’s What I Know for Sure

You don’t have to hold everything.
You don’t have to prove you’re strong.
You don’t have to do it all alone.

You’re allowed to slow down.
You’re allowed to rest.
You’re allowed to receive support.

And you’re allowed to build a life that feels like yours again, one that honors your energy, your rhythm, your intuition, and your boundaries.

Small steps create big shifts.
And you deserve to feel energized, balanced, and connected to yourself again.

Ready to Break the Burnout Cycle?

If you’re tired of feeling stuck in the binge → burnout → repeat loop, support is here.

My coaching is designed to help high-achieving women reconnect with their bodies, rebuild their energy, and create a relationship with food and life that finally feels sustainable.

You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Let’s talk.

Book a Discovery Session and let’s get you back into alignment, mind, body, and soul.

Want to Read More? Check out How to Supercharge your Mornings or What are the Healing Energy Modalities?

Ready for Energy Balancing? Book a Reiki Session or Read this Blog on Living a Balanced Life

Are you Suffering from Burnout?