Cheshire


<p>Hands up if you&#8217;re close to yawning now? In fact, hands up if you&#8217;re always on the edge of exhaustion? If you can&#8217;t shake that groggy feeling and you&#8217;re juggling motherhood and work and the general heave-ho of life &#8211; without giving yourself a second to breathe &#8211; you might be close to burnout. We spoke to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nicolegoodehealth.com">Nicole Goode</a>, Cheshire-based nutritional therapist, author and founder of the <a href="https://www.goodehealth.uk">Goode Health Clinic</a>,&nbsp;to find out why so many of us are getting trapped in burnout and what we can do about it.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/IMG_1708-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-2543" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/IMG_1708-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/IMG_1708-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/IMG_1708-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/IMG_1708-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/IMG_1708-1365x2048.jpeg 1365w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/IMG_1708.jpeg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nicole Goode</figcaption></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-actually-is-burnout"><strong>What actually is burnout?</strong></h2>



<p>Burnout isn’t just about doing too much; it’s about not being able to recover properly which can have a big impact on overall health. Many people push through exhaustion, relying on caffeine, late-night screen time, or sheer willpower to keep going, without realising that true restoration (quality sleep, time in nature, mindful movement, and meaningful connection) is essential for sustaining long-term well-being. And if you don&#8217;t do anything about it? The simple fact is if you do nothing about burnout, and you keep pushing through chronic stress, it will just gradually get worse until your body makes you stop. And by this I mean some form of chronic health condition, whether its chronic fatigue syndrome, an autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, or worse something like cancer.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-what-does-burnout-actually-feel-like"><strong>And what does burnout actually feel like?</strong></h2>



<p>Burnout builds gradually, often starting with subtle signs that are easy to dismiss &#8211; something that women are especially good at. Physical symptoms are often the first red flag, such as persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest, frequent headaches, disrupted sleep, and a weakened immune system, manifesting as frequent colds or infections. Hormonal imbalances, such as irregular periods or changes in libido can also indicate that prolonged stress is taking a toll on your body. You might have trouble concentrating or struggle with your memory. Many people find themselves reading the same sentence multiple times or struggling to recall simple information &#8211; a sign that chronic stress is impairing cognitive function. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-olly-3767411-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2548" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-olly-3767411-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-olly-3767411-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-olly-3767411-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-olly-3767411.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Burnout can feel like a relentless weight. Anxiety, a persistently low mood, irritability, and a lack of motivation become daily struggles. Activities that once felt fulfilling may seem overwhelming, and even small tasks can feel exhausting. Procrastination, emotional eating, withdrawing from social interactions, and increased reliance on caffeine or alcohol to get through the day are common patterns. While these behaviours may provide temporary relief, they often worsen the cycle of exhaustion. Recognising these warning signs early is crucial. Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired &#8211; it’s a signal that the body and mind are running on empty and need urgent support. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-do-you-think-so-many-of-us-feel-burnt-out"><strong>Why do you think so many of us feel burnt out?</strong></h2>



<p>We live in a world of constant connectivity, where technology blurs the lines between work and rest. Many of us are expected to be ‘always on,’ responding to emails, managing responsibilities, and juggling multiple<br>roles &#8211; whether that’s in our careers, families, or social lives. For women especially, burnout is fuelled by the pressure to do it all, from excelling in careers to maintaining family life. We have a tendency to glorify the ‘hustle culture’ making rest feel like a luxury rather than a necessity. But it’s not actually something to be proud of. </p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="789" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-mikoto-3367850-1024x789.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2552" style="aspect-ratio:1.2978453738910012;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-mikoto-3367850-1024x789.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-mikoto-3367850-300x231.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-mikoto-3367850-768x592.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/pexels-mikoto-3367850.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-exacerbates-burnout"><strong>What exacerbates burnout?</strong></h2>



<p>I think one of the biggest contributors to burnout is the failure to prioritise true rest. So many people push through exhaustion and sacrifice sleep in favour of late night work, social commitments, or worse screen time. Relaxation is often seen as unproductive and a lot of that comes from the badge of honour of being busy. Yet without proper downtime, the nervous system remains in a constant state of alertness. Over time, this leads to disrupted sleep cycles, hormonal imbalances, and an inability to recharge, making burnout even more difficult to recover from. And then there&#8217;s excessive screen time; the constant influx of information and notifications overstimulates the brain, making it harder to switch off and truly rest. Not to mention comparison culture which has become so much worse with the rise of social media, which can leave you feeling as though you&#8217;re not doing enough or achieving as much as you should. This can all lead to feelings of inadequacy and heightened stress. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-how-do-we-protect-ourselves-from-burnout"><strong>So how do we protect ourselves from burnout?</strong></h2>



<p>1. You need to build resilience and recovery. Chronic stress is one of the biggest drivers of burnout. Managing stress through breath work, nature exposure, and social connection helps shift the body out of ‘fight or flight’ mode and into a state of restoration.</p>



<p>2. Sleep is non-negotiable for energy, brain function, and overall health. Optimise your circadian rhythm, reduce blue light exposure, and create a calming evening routine to support deep, restorative sleep.</p>



<p>3. Strength training isn’t just for fitness &#8211; it supports bone health, metabolism, and longevity. Incorporate resistance training, walking, and mobility exercises to keep your body strong and functional.</p>



<p>4. True well-being isn’t just about physical health; it’s also about finding meaning in your work, nurturing relationships, and feeling connected to a purpose. Engaging in fulfilling activities and maintaining supportive relationships is essential for long-term health.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://www.nicolegoodehealth.com/optimal-you-book"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="680" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/Book-Cover-680x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2555" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/Book-Cover-680x1024.png 680w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/Book-Cover-199x300.png 199w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/Book-Cover-768x1157.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2025/03/Book-Cover.png 960w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /></a></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-one-bit-of-advice-you-d-give-to-our-readers"><strong>What&#8217;s the one bit of advice you&#8217;d give to our readers?</strong></h2>



<p>Don’t just keep going. Don’t leave things until it gets worse. If you know you have a stressful or busy lifestyle, or if you notice any of the signs and symptoms we’ve talked about, get support and protect yourself now. My book has an interactive free health assessment you can take to see which areas you might need to work on personalised to your answer and your health. You can then use the book to build your own flexible plan to fit around your lifestyle. By supporting your health now you can be your most productive self and protect your future.</p>



<p>Nicole Goode&#8217;s Optimal You book is out now, exploring the 8 pillars of health for supercharged energy and strengthened immunity to optimise your wellbeing and extend your health span. Buy it <a href="https://www.nicolegoodehealth.com/shop-books">here</a>.</p>


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