Reconnecting with the body in times of burnout
Let’s talk about the lack of connection with our body and how this is closely tied to burnout, plus, what to do about it.
Romania Insider
· Updated · 4 min read
Let’s talk about the lack of connection with our body and how this is closely tied to burnout, plus, what to do about it.
So often throughout the day, we live almost entirely in our minds. We’re focused either on what we have to do at the moment—tasks that increasingly demand mental effort over physical action—or replaying past events, especially ones that bothered us. Our minds hit "replay" on certain scenes, analysing endlessly. Alternatively, we’re projecting into the future, imagining potential scenarios or crafting solutions to ongoing problems.
What gets left behind in this mental marathon is our body.
Of course, we’re constantly using our bodies—walking, typing, listening, speaking. These actions require physical engagement. However, much of this happens on autopilot. Fortunately, our bodies are designed to keep us alive, operating automatically, often with little conscious effort on our part.
But here’s the catch: when we let the autopilot run the show, staying locked in our mental space, we miss crucial signals from our bodies. Signals that something is off. Over time, these signals grow louder, eventually manifesting as noticeable symptoms or even chronic conditions. Unfortunately, this disconnection from our bodies is widespread, fuelled by cultural norms, the structure of work, technology, and more.
The connection between burnout and… disconnection
Burnout stems from chronic stress. When our stress response is activated repeatedly—due to multiple sources of stress—it starts to feel like our "default mode."
The hidden health crisis: how to recognize if you’re in burnout
Physiologically, our body enters a heightened state, preparing us to deal with perceived threats. Stress hormones flood our system, muscles tense, breathing quickens, and digestion falters. Ideally, these responses should be short-lived, helping us navigate acute stressors before returning to balance.
However, when stressors are constant, this state persists. Over time, we no longer notice how our body feels because we’ve become accustomed to it. Tight shoulders, rapid breathing, fatigue—they all feel "normal." For many, relaxation even becomes uncomfortable, associated with vulnerability or negativity due to past conditioning.
Trauma and chronic activation
Often, people experiencing burnout appear unstoppable—always active, always taking on the next project. They may even seem "energized," but this perpetual motion often stems from unresolved trauma. Childhood experiences, whether major (like abuse or family violence) or subtle (micro-traumas from close relationships), leave imprints.
