Balancing burnout with kinesiology - part 1

Over the years, I’ve worked with numerous clients experiencing symptoms commonly associated with depression. Many had begun taking medication prescribed by their general practitioners, which helped them manage daily functioning—what I often refer to as “staying afloat.” However, these interventions often did not lead to a deeper understanding of the root causes behind their emotional state.

What became increasingly clear was that in many cases, the underlying issues were complex—rarely traceable to a single cause. Kinesiology, as a holistic approach, enables us to explore the deeper nature of stress during a balance session. Often, the stress reveals itself in ways that help clients gain insight into what personal changes are needed. This empowers them to take ownership of their healing journey and make conscious, responsible choices in their lives.

A recurring pattern I’ve observed is a strong correlation between these symptoms and burnout, which is becoming a widespread issue in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world.

According to research by Wekenborg et al. (2019), burnout is defined as a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion resulting from prolonged exposure to high levels of stress, especially in the workplace. It is marked by overwhelming fatigue, reduced motivation, and declining performance. Burnout affects not only professional productivity but also personal well-being, health, and relationships.

Maslach and Leiter (2016), along with earlier work by Maslach (1982), identified several common signs and symptoms of burnout:

• Physical and emotional exhaustion – Feeling persistently drained of energy.

• Detachment and cynicism – Developing a negative or disconnected attitude toward work and responsibilities.

• Reduced performance – Decrease in efficiency and quality of work.

• Lack of motivation – Losing interest in activities that once felt meaningful.

• Cognitive difficulties – Trouble with focus, memory, and decision-making.

• Irritability and negativity – Heightened frustration or pessimism.

• Physical complaints – Headaches, muscle tension, gastrointestinal issues, etc.

• Sleep disturbances – Difficulty falling or staying asleep, non-restorative sleep.

• Social withdrawal – Avoidance of interactions and social activities.

• Health issues – Increased risk of illness, including cardiovascular and mental health conditions.

It’s crucial to understand that burnout is not merely occasional stress or fatigue. It’s a serious and chronic condition that requires attention, care, and often a shift in mindset and lifestyle. Through kinesiology, clients are supported in exploring and addressing the root energetic and emotional contributors to burnout—often leading to meaningful change and restored balance.

References

• Demerouti, E., Bakker, A. B., Peeters, M. C. W., & Breevaart, K. (2021). New directions in burnout research. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 30(5), 686–691. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2021.1979962

• World Psychiatric Association (WPA). (n.d.). Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry: Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association, 15(2), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20311

• Maslach, C. (1982). Understanding burnout: Definitional issues in analyzing a complex phenomenon.

• Wekenborg, M. K., Hill, L. K., Thayer, J. F., Penz, M., Wittling, R. A., & Kirschbaum, C. (2019). The longitudinal association of reduced vagal tone with burnout. Psychosomatic Medicine, 81(9), 791–798. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000750