According to recent Google search data, there has been over a 200% increase in people searching for ‘signs of burnout’, with almost half of UK employees experiencing excessive stress and suffering from exhaustion. We are in danger of a burnout epidemic and we need to take action to prevent this.
Signs and symptoms of burnout can include you reacting to something emotionally, losing your temper and control, lashing out at those you love, those you hate, random people you don’t care about – and of course yourself. Other warning signs include negative attitudes, cynicism, a lack of energy, a loss of willpower and an inability to deal with anything new, different or unwanted.
As humans, we are very good at being resilient. Resilience is defined as the ‘capacity for successful adaptation despite challenging or threatening circumstances.’ We are so good at it, in fact, that our means of coping with stressors can make us exhausted and lead to burnout.
When a person is ‘resource-full’ they create, build and maintain the right mental, emotional, and physical resources that they need and then deploy them in a way that is smart, positive, self-aware, engaged and successful. People who don’t have sufficient mental, emotional and physical resources are unable to process information fully, which in turn leads to burnout.
The good news is that there are ways to bounce back from burnout and become SOUND. SOUND people go beyond responding reactively because they are resource-full.
Being resource-full involves knowing themselves: which resources deplete them, making them feel bad, and which replenish them, making them feel good. They monitor their resource levels, and they actively seek and develop the resources they need when they need them. Having gained these resources, the SOUND adult chooses where to invest and deploy these resources. They use their resources to manage their environment, rather than their environment managing their resources.
SOUND individuals are able to manage their thoughts and emotions, recognising that these can use up resources unnecessarily. In understanding that the brain can work with or against them, they manage it accordingly, creating clarity of thought and rational responses.
Here are some examples of activities you can incorporate into your week to beat burnout and become SOUND:
Consider the tasks and activities you have done in the last week. Which did you enjoy or gain a sense of satisfaction from, or which made you feel energised (even if you were physically tired afterwards)? Which of them made you feel negative or grumpy? How much effort did you have to put in to complete a task (how tired did it make you feel)? Think of the people around you. Which ones provide you with positive resources, which drain your resources?
Focus on one event from last week. As you recall the emotional response you had, describe the emotion to yourself. Was it a positive or negative emotion? What did you do with the emotion? Did you accept it and carry it around, or did you change it? If you managed to change it, how?
Understanding what adds to or depletes our resources will enable us to plan our activities, so the amount of resources going in exceeds those going out. Of course, there are always jobs we have to do that we don’t enjoy, but make sure you offset them with positive activities.
Another brilliant tool is to keep a diary for a week: record when and what you eat, drink and exercise. Note the hours of sleep you get. Also note the emotions you had that day and how well you felt you handled events. By writing these down, you become more aware of them and whether there is a pattern.. There is a diary template and tips for increasing water consumption and getting better sleep available to downloaded on www.drsammather.com.
Think about the people you spend your valuable time with. How does each one make you feel: happy, exhausted, stressed, loved, relaxed, intimidated, inferior, safe? Which connections make you feel good, and which cause you to feel exhausted? Track this in your diary.
After at least a week, reflect on your diary. Which areas are you nailing? What do you need to do more of? Which people added resources to your balloon? Which didn’t? If several things in your life are exhausting you, note how you feel. For the next week, feed your brain well, adding only positive resources, then check in with yourself again. How do you feel now? How do the two weeks compare?
Dr Sam Mather is a neuro-practitioner and author of RISE: The science and practice of creating and developing your cognitive resources for resilience and wellbeing (published by ReThink Press, priced at £12.99)
July
19julAll DayPop-Ups for Women Entrepreneurs
19/07/2025 All Day(GMT+00:00)
The Wellness Centre Croydon
The Whitgift shopping centre #1st Croydon CR0 1LP
Support Local. Empower Women. Discover Something New. Join us for an inspiring pop-up event celebrating women entrepreneurs!
Support Local. Empower Women. Discover Something New.
Join us for an inspiring pop-up event celebrating women entrepreneurs and their incredible businesses! From handmade goods and fashion to skincare, art, wellness products, and more—this event is all about community, creativity, and connection.
Meet the amazing women behind your favorite local brands, enjoy one-of-a-kind finds, and support small businesses that make a big impact. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or grabbing gifts for others, your support helps fuel dreams and build a more inclusive economy.
What to Expect:
Let’s show up, shop small, and lift each other up.
Every purchase you make is a powerful act of support.
RSVP now—let’s make this a celebration to remember!
24/07/2025 All Day(GMT+00:00)
Heston Hyde Hotel
N Hyde Ln, Hounslow TW5 0EP
International Conference on Leadership Entrepreneurship and Business Management (ICLEBM – 2025) will be held in London,UK during 24th Jul 2025
ICLEBM will provide an excellent international forum for sharing knowledge and a result in International Conference on Leadership Entrepreneurship and Business Management. The aim of the Conference is to provide a platform to the researchers and practitioners from both academia as well as industry to share cutting-edge development in the field.
. The Proceeding will be archived in the Digital Library.
. Each Paper will be assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) from CROSSREF.
. The Proceeding will be submitted to ISI Thomson for review and indexing.
. Proceedings will be published in International Journals with ISSN Numbers.
26julAll DayTessy's Brunches Presents: Engage HER
26/07/2025 All Day(GMT+00:00)
Stanley Stephenson Lounge
Crystal Palace Football Club, Holmesdale Road, London, SE25 6PU
Engage Her – July 26, 2025 Event Summary: Engage Her is a dynamic event focused on fostering meaningful connections and building a supportive
Event Summary: Engage Her is a dynamic event focused on fostering meaningful connections and building a supportive community of women. Through interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and engaging discussions, attendees will have the chance to share experiences, learn from one another, and grow together. This event aims to create a welcoming environment where women can support each other in their personal and professional journeys.
Highlights:
• Engaging workshops and interactive sessions encouraging active participation.
• Networking opportunities to expand personal and professional connections.
• Panel discussions with industry leaders sharing insights and experiences.
• Community-building activities to foster lasting relationships.
Mark your calendars for Engage Her on July 26, 2025, a vibrant event designed to connect and inspire women. Participate in interactive workshops, network with like-minded individuals, and join discussions with industry leaders. Build meaningful relationships and grow within a supportive community. Engage Her is your opportunity to connect, learn, and thrive together. Don’t miss out—register now!
Indulge in a sumptuous spread of delicious treats crafted to tantalize your taste buds.
Tickets are available for £50 and the event is open to all women. Let’s come together and support each other as we navigate the challenges of life. We can’t wait to see you there!
Tessy’s Brunches (www.tessysbrunches) is dedicated to creating a platform where unseen women become visible through networking and mentoring opportunities. Our mission is not only about recognising women but understanding and addressing their unique challenges.
Our aims are rooted in three core principles: Empower, Engage, and Elevate. We seek to empower women by inspiring personal growth and self-discovery. We aim to engage by fostering meaningful connections and building a supportive community. Finally, we strive to elevate by enhancing professional development and personal fulfilment. Through these pillars, we are dedicated to helping women overcome barriers, realize their potential, and achieve both personal and professional success.
#TessysBrunches #WomenPower #CelebrateWomen #InspiringChange #EmpowerHER #EngageHER #ElevateHER