Burnout: rising from the ashes

Rediscovering sleep, embracing fitness, and transforming nutrition to reclaim my life

Jas Deogan
3 min readMar 9, 2024
Photo by Sara Rostenne on Unsplash

Burnout sneaked up on me. It was cloaked in the guise of a career I adored, yet slowly, it began to ask more of me than I could give without losing myself.

I remember the day that the realisation hit me; it wasn’t just the need for extra sleep.

I was B-U-R-N-T O-U-T.

Burnout was staring back at me, challenging my naive belief that I could simply sleep off this relentless fatigue.

This journey, my journey of reclaiming my well-being, taught me that healing from burnout would need a holistic overview, weaving together the threads of sleep, physical activity, and mindful nutrition.

Rediscovering sleep: the foundation of repair

For too long, I mistook sleep for a mere pause, a simple break in the cycle of daily demands. But facing burnout, I learned the profound truth: sleep is a complex, nurturing process vital for the mind and body’s restoration.

Embracing a disciplined sleep routine was a game-changer for me. It meant setting a consistent bedtime, dimming the lights early, and letting my phone rest in another room.

This newfound respect for sleep became my first victory over burnout, gifting me with clearer mornings and a refreshed spirit.

Photo by Quin Stevenson on Unsplash

Fitness: my path to strength and resilience

Burnout had left me feeling disconnected from my own body. Engaging in physical activity was my declaration of reclaiming my strength.

It wasn’t just about the workouts. Joining a fitness community and leaning on a coach helped me see the journey itself as the reward. I celebrated every small step and every drop of sweat as a testament to my resilience.

This path wasn’t just about regaining physical strength; it was about building a fortress of mental and emotional resilience.

Photo by Victor Freitas on Unsplash

Nutrition: healing from the inside out

My relationship with food underwent a significant transformation during my recovery.

Food, for me, had always been a source of joy and exploration, but my journey highlighted the critical role of nutrition in healing from burnout.

Working closely with my coach, I revamped my diet to focus on whole, protein-rich foods and proper hydration, learning to listen to my body’s needs. This shift was not just about physical health; it was a key factor in regaining my energy and mental clarity.

The journey taught me the power of food as medicine, capable of supporting our bodies and minds in times of stress and recovery.

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

Recovering from burnout has been an intensely personal journey, yet it echoes the experiences of many. It’s a reminder that healing requires addressing the root causes and embracing a holistic approach.

I invite you to share your own battles with burnout. What strategies have worked for you? How have you navigated the path to balance and renewal?

Your experiences, your struggles, and your victories can offer hope and encouragement to others on this path. Together, we can foster a community of support, understanding, and collective wisdom as we journey towards recovery.

Let’s spark a conversation about how we can lift each other up through the challenges of burnout and beyond. Your story can inspire and comfort someone in their time of need. In sharing, we heal ourselves and pave the way for a community built on care, understanding, and mutual support.

I hope you enjoyed this article, and if it helped you out, don’t forget to leave a clap or two or drop a comment. You can connect with me on LinkedIn, Medium and BlueSky.

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Jas Deogan

Visionary UX/Product Leader with 12+ years' experience, driving innovative strategies and user-centric design to enhance business outcomes.