How to Recognise and Overcome Burnout at Work: Strategies for Women

Q: As a woman, how do I know if I’m genuinely burnt out and not just stressed or tired?

Burnout often looks like constant exhaustion that rest does not fix, growing cynicism or detachment, and feeling ineffective even when you are working hard. Consider getting support to clarify what you are experiencing and what to change next.

Q: Why do women like me burn out so easily at work?

Women often carry a double load, including emotional labour, unpaid mental load at home, and pressure to perform perfectly, sometimes with less structural support. That combination can make burnout more likely.

Q: What can I do as a woman today if I feel like I’m on the edge of burnout?

Start by acknowledging how you feel without guilt. Set boundaries, say no to extra tasks where possible, delegate, and prioritise genuine self care that actually restores you.

Q: As a woman who finds boundary-setting difficult, how can I protect my limits at work without feeling guilty or seeming uncommitted?

Healthy boundaries are a sign of professionalism. Communicate your limits clearly, protect personal time, and disconnect from work communications outside agreed hours.

Q: As a woman, how can I pinpoint the specific things at work that are stressing me out the most?

Track your time and energy for a short period, then notice which tasks or interactions leave you drained, resentful, or overwhelmed. Patterns often show up in workload, management interactions, or communication style.

Q: What should a woman do if she’s really worried about her mental health and needs immediate, specialist help?

If you feel in crisis or seriously concerned about your mental health, seek urgent professional help right away. Contact your GP or appropriate emergency or crisis services in your area.

Women of our Time
Jan 1
5 min read

Updated: Jan 6

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Are You Running on Fumes? Let's Talk Burnout at Work for Women!

Ever feel like you’re constantly juggling flaming chainsaws while simultaneously trying to bake a perfect soufflé and answer emails with your toes? Welcome to the unofficial sport of being a working woman and exploring burnout at work for women! When that feeling shifts from busy to utterly, relentlessly depleted, you might be flirting with burnout. At Women of Our Time (WOOT), we know this isn't just about 'being tired' – it's a serious alarm bell.

Why Burnout's Got a Bullseye on Women's Backs

Women often bear the brunt of mental load, both at work and home, leading to a constant state of 'on-duty'. We're less likely to delegate, more likely to pick up emotional labour, and often feel immense pressure to be 'perfect' (hello, Perfectionism blog!). This relentless pursuit of 'having it all' without adequate support is a fast track to exhaustion.

Stark Fact: Nearly 1 in 4 working women in the UK feel unable to manage stress and pressure at work, with only 44% confident that their employer has a plan in place to prevent burnout. (Mental Health UK)

Spotting the Smoke Signals: Are You Burnt Out?

Burnout isn't just physical tiredness. Look out for:

Exhaustion (that sleep doesn't fix): You're constantly drained, physically and emotionally.
Cynicism & Detachment: Feeling cynical about your job, disconnected from colleagues, or losing interest in things you once enjoyed.
Ineffectiveness: Feeling less competent or less productive, even when you're working harder.

Your Burnout Busting Toolkit: Time to Reclaim Your Spark

Acknowledge It (No Shame!):

The first step is admitting you're struggling. It's not a weakness; it's a sign you've been working too hard.

Set Ferocious Boundaries:

Learn to say 'no' (revisit that blog!). Protect your non-work time like it's gold. Disconnect from emails, say no to extra tasks if your plate is full.

Prioritise Genuine Self-Care:

Beyond bubble baths! What truly recharges you? A walk, a hobby, quiet time? Schedule it, fiercely.

Delegate (Seriously!):

You don't have to do it all. Empower your team (or family!) to take on tasks. Imperfect delegation is better than perfect exhaustion.

Seek Support:

Talk to your manager, HR, a mentor, or a coach. You don't have to carry this alone.

Urgent Contacts: Contact your GP for urgent help, or reach out to organisations such as Mind (0300 123 3393) or Samaritans (116 123). WOOT exists to support women alongside—not instead of—professional clinical care.

A Final Thought:

Burnout is a siren call for change. It's your body and mind telling you that something needs to shift. Listening to it isn't quitting; it's an act of powerful self-preservation and the ultimate strategy for long-term thriving. Don't just survive; ignite your spark again.

How We Can Help

At WOOT, we believe in equipping you—the individual—to resolve the problem, challenge, or opportunity in front of you. We’re here to help you make a difference in your own world, starting with what’s within your circle of control.

While our research aims to inform long-term solutions and drive systemic change, we know that changing the system will take time. That’s why we’re focused on creating a movement within each of us—empowering women to take action, build resilience, and thrive right now.

Here’s how you can take the first step:

Book a 1:1 Session: Get personalised advice and support tailored to your specific situation.
Sign Up for a Workshop: Join our heavily discounted workshops on topics like confidence building, leadership, and more.
Join Our Research Project: Share your story and help us shape the future for women in the workplace.
Check out our shop: for other resources that might help and our podcasts for other women's stories.

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone:

Ready to ditch the dread and reignite your passion? Click here to explore how we can help you. With reclaimed energy, The Women of Our Time Team.

Book a Support Hub session

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P.S. If you know a woman who’s teetering on the edge of burnout, share this post. Let’s lift each other up and create a brighter future together.

Your Burnout Questions Answered

1. As a woman, how do I know if I’m genuinely burnt out and not just stressed or tired?

As a woman in today’s workplace, burnout often shows up as constant exhaustion that rest doesn’t fix, increased cynicism about your work, and a sense of ineffectiveness even when you’re working incredibly hard. These are deeper signs than ordinary tiredness.

Next Step: Don’t self-diagnose. Book your free 1:1 session with the WOOT Support Hub, available to all women in the workplace. We’ll help you identify these signs and give you clarity on your next steps.

2. Why do women like me burn out so easily at work?

Women frequently carry a ‘double load’ , balancing emotional labour, unpaid mental load at home, and often feeling pressure to perform perfectly. Women also tend to receive less structural support, which makes burnout more likely.

Next Step: WOOT’s services are designed specifically for women. Access our resources on stress management and resilience tailored to the unique pressures women face.

3. What can I do as a woman today if I feel like I’m on the edge of burnout?

Women often minimise their own needs, so the first step is acknowledging how you feel without guilt. As a woman, setting boundaries, like saying no to extra tasks or delegating where possible, is essential. Prioritise genuine self-care, even when it feels difficult.

Next Step: Our online resources offer practical toolkits designed to support women in building these habits immediately.

4. As a woman who finds boundary-setting difficult, how can I protect my limits at work without feeling guilty or seeming uncommitted?

Women often feel pressure to be endlessly available, but healthy boundaries are a sign of professionalism. Clearly communicate your limits, protect your personal time, and disconnect from work communications outside your agreed hours.

Next Step: Our free 1:1 expert advice sessions teach women practical strategies to set boundaries confidently while maintaining strong professional relationships.

5. As a woman, how can I pinpoint the specific things at work that are stressing me out the most?

Women often juggle competing demands, so start by tracking your time and energy. Identify which tasks or interactions leave you drained, resentful, or overwhelmed. Women frequently notice patterns in workload, management interactions, or communication styles once they observe them closely.

Next Step: Book a free 1:1 session with WOOT. An expert advisor will help women review their routines objectively, identify key stressors, and develop a personalised action plan.

6. What should a woman do if she’s really worried about her mental health and needs immediate, specialist help?

If a woman feels she’s in crisis or seriously concerned about her mental health, it’s essential to seek urgent professional help right away. WOOT cannot provide clinical support to women in crisis.