Part 8 of From Burnout To Recovery: A 24-Part Video Series
Burnout Recovery: Take Better Care Of Yourself
Burnout impairs brain functioning and develops alongside long-standing neglect of physical health. This article explains why improving nutrition and gradually reintroducing physical exercise are essential parts of burnout recovery, how these changes support both short-term healing and long-term resilience, and why attending to physical health reduces the likelihood of future burnout.
In the video below, Dr. Patricia Turner, a Registered Psychologist in private practice in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, explores these concepts.
The accompanying article expands on these ideas, explaining why attending to physical health through nutrition and gradual exercise is central to burnout recovery and long-term resilience.
How Burnout Affects the Brain and Body
In burnout, the brain is not functioning well. It has been pushed beyond its cognitive limits and poorly fueled at the same time. This matters not only during recovery, but over the long term. If you have experienced burnout once—which is often the case—you already know that burnout is possible for you. That makes taking care of your physical health going forward especially important.
Healthy Eating During Burnout Recovery
Healthy eating is essential during burnout recovery. This means eliminating caffeine, soft drinks, and other dietary habits that interfere with healing. It also means ending reliance on takeout.
You do not need to eat in a complicated or elaborate way. Simple food is sufficient. Basic, straightforward options—bags of lettuce, bags of carrots, pork chops, peanut butter and crackers, apples—are what your body needs. The goal is not perfection or restriction, but consistent, adequate nourishment.
As your energy begins to return, learning more about nutrition can help you improve your diet significantly—and often permanently. Some people choose to read a book or two. If you have the financial resources, working with a nutritionist for several weeks can be a valuable support. Being taught how to eat well, in a way that fits your life, can meaningfully influence both how your recovery progresses and your risk of entering burnout again.
Exercise During Burnout Recovery
A second major component of physical health that is often neglected in burnout is exercise. While you remain exhausted, exercising can feel impossible. That is part of burnout. But as your energy starts to return, physical activity becomes increasingly important to recovery.
When you look at the research, maintaining a regular exercise routine stands out clearly. It is the strongest protective factor someone can implement in daily life to reduce the risk of burnout. Nothing else compares to it.
For a long time, you have likely asked your body to perform without taking adequate care of it. Exercise does not need to be complicated. If you are not already walking daily, start by going outside for ten minutes in the morning. Gradually extend that to twenty minutes, and then to thirty. Swimming in the morning is another option. Choose an activity you genuinely enjoy, and then commit to it.
If you have the resources, working with a personal trainer can be an effective way to build and maintain fitness. All you need to do is show up. The trainer handles the planning and decision-making, which can reduce the mental load during recovery.
Long-Term Burnout Recovery and Physical Health
If your goal is not only to recover from burnout, but to stay out of burnout over the long term, you have to take better care of yourself physically. These things matter.
Getting enough sleep goes without saying. After that, in the hierarchy of recovery, eating well and engaging in regular physical exercise are foundational. They are not optional activities. They are central to healing from burnout—and to protecting yourself going forward.
Considering Next Steps
If you are on medical leave for burnout and finding it difficult to restore your physical health or establish sustainable routines, working with a psychologist can help you identify what is getting in the way and how to move forward safely.
If you would like support during burnout recovery, you may wish to contact a psychologist experienced in working with high-functioning professionals navigating medical leave and return-to-work decisions.
Related Articles
- This article describes why regular physical exercise is the most effective protective factor against burnout and offers practical ways to build a sustainable fitness routine.
- This post highlights how neglecting basic physical self-care, even in small ways, reflects burnout tendencies and underscores the importance of listening to your body’s signals.
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