My quest to understand burnout started when I was 26 and in my first social work job. It was disheartening to find that in a career where I was effective and talented, I was also already burned out. I loved the work, but the demands felt heavy. Add low support and high pressure from senior leadership, and it was a bad recipe. I left that job after 2 years and have been on a mission to help others with burnout ever since. 

In my 20 years of providing therapy to other helping professionals (in fields such as healthcare, education, social services, law, government, and nonprofits), I realized my experience was not unique. Burnout has real consequences for the most caring and talented professionals out there. That’s why I transitioned from being a therapist, and started working with professionals and organizations to address burnout and leadership challenges head-on. 

Burnout is a Systemic Issue

Burnout is a work-related issue that affects individuals, but it’s rooted in larger systemic problems. And while we might hope to wait for those big systems issues to resolve themselves, we can’t afford to. The truth is: the crisis is happening right now. In 2025, we’re in the thick of it, trying to navigate through the complexities of burnout, despite the many factors that make it incredibly difficult to tackle.

Work itself has changed dramatically over the years. In many fields, especially healthcare, social services, and education, we are seeing stressed-out professionals dealing with stressed-out people, students, families, clients and patients. This compounded stress has left many of us feeling overwhelmed and, ultimately, burned out. But to understand why this is happening, we need to look beyond individual struggles and consider the systemic pressures that are at play.

The Challenges We Face:

In industries like healthcare, social services, and education, the work is inherently demanding. But when I step back and reflect on the changes I’ve observed, three specific challenges stand out that seem to be making burnout particularly pervasive. These challenges are deeply connected to the larger systems we operate within.

1. Bearing Witness to Suffering:
   In caregiving professions, we are regularly exposed to the suffering of others, whether it’s physical or emotional. As professionals, we often witness people at their most vulnerable, and that can take a toll on our emotional health. For most of us, the problems seem to be getting worse, not better. That can lead us to feeling ineffective, despite our expertise and genuine care. 
2. Managing Relationships:
   Work requires constant interaction with others, and sometimes those relationships are fraught with tension. Navigating these relationships, particularly in high-pressure environments, can contribute to burnout. Our ability to collaborate, communicate, and manage expectations is always tested. We are all trying our best but the stress can take a toll. Add a divisive political and social landscape, and it is no wonder why work relationships can feel really challenging and exhausting. 
3. Working Within Systems:
   Whether it’s the medical system, the education system, or social services, we are often asked to work within bureaucratic structures that don’t prioritize the well-being of the professionals providing care. These systems are often inefficient, underfunded, and focused more on profits than on people, which creates constant pressure. The odds can feel stacked against us. 

What is Burnout?

So, with all these pressures, what exactly is burnout? It’s not just about feeling tired after a long day at work. Burnout is an emotional experience that leaves us feeling exhausted, detached, ineffective, and often cynical. It’s not just a matter of work-life balance or workload. Burnout stems from deeper emotional exhaustion related to how we feel about our work.

It’s worth noting that burnout was only formally recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 2019, which shows the newness of our collective understanding. 

The First Step: Self-Awareness

Understanding burnout is the first step toward preventing it. The more aware we are of what burnout feels like, the better equipped we are to prevent it from taking over our lives. 

Recognizing when we are becoming overwhelmed, cynical, or detached is crucial in addressing burnout before it reaches its peak. But this can be difficult. 

The thing that fascinates me most about burnout is how central emotions are to the experience. It’s not just about “doing the work”—it’s about how we feel about the work we’re doing. The emotional weight of burnout makes it a unique challenge because, unfortunately, most workplaces aren’t equipped to address such deep emotional experiences.

Talking about emotions at this level can feel vulnerable. Workplaces tend to focus on productivity and efficiency, not on how employees are feeling. But it’s essential to name and address those feelings in order to protect your well-being.

Three Strategies for Addressing Burnout

While systemic issues and external pressures contribute significantly to burnout, there are strategies that individuals can adopt to help manage their well-being and counteract burnout.

1. Intentionality:
   One of the best ways to prevent burnout is to be intentional in how we approach our work. By carefully considering the role we are playing in each situation, we can become more focused on what’s realistic and what’s most effective. It’s about working smarter, not harder, and acknowledging that we can only do so much within the limitations of the systems we work in.
2. Groundedness:
   Burnout often arises from a sense of urgency and overwhelm. To counteract this, it’s important to take time throughout the day to slow down, regulate our emotions, and ground ourselves. Rather than pushing through with a sense of urgency, focus on taking breaks, stepping away, and refocusing in a calm, grounded state.
3. Clarity:
   Being clear about your intentions in communication is essential. Whether it’s in meetings, client interactions, or even with colleagues, clarity helps prevent misunderstandings and can reduce unnecessary stress. Be upfront about your goals and needs such as asking for a break before tackling a new task or stating your purpose for a meeting. Clear communication allows you to advocate for yourself and keep your stress levels manageable.

Conclusion: Taking Action

Burnout is more than just an individual issue. It’s a societal problem deeply intertwined with the systems we work within. While the broader systemic changes we need may take time to implement, there are ways we can address burnout right now by becoming more self-aware, intentional, grounded, and clear in our daily work lives.

By acknowledging the reality of burnout, recognizing its systemic roots, and taking practical steps to protect ourselves, we can begin to shift the trajectory towards a healthier, more sustainable future for ourselves, our colleagues, and the people we care for.

About Hannah: Hannah Curtis, LCSW owns New Approaches, an emotional health and work wellness company based in Brunswick and Falmouth, Maine. New Approaches supports mission-driven leaders and organizations with the tools to create happier, healthier workplaces with burnout prevention, communication, and leadership strategies.

Contact Hannah today to learn more about her innovative programming for you or your organization.