Why You’re Always Tired.
Sheila was having one of those weeks at work. Her colleague was on leave, so she was left to juggle customer complaints, emails, and all the little “urgent” tasks that somehow never seem to end. At first, she was managing fine. But one afternoon, she found herself restless, unfocused, and strangely irritated.
“What is wrong with me?” she muttered, feeling itchy inside — not the mosquito kind, but the mental kind.
She called her friend to explain how unmotivated she’d been feeling lately. Her friend listened, then asked, “When was the last time you had a proper night’s sleep?”
Sheila laughed. “Sleep? Maybe an hour or two daily. You know I have to be at work early and close late; I also have to reply to emails at midnight and stand in for my colleague. Who has that much time for sleep? Work has to be done, my dear.”
Her friend replied, “I think you’re burnt out.”
What exactly does it mean to be burnt out?
Burnout is not laziness. It’s a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, heavy workload, or lack of work-life balance. It’s when your “battery” is so low that even coffee looks at you and says, “Sorry, sis, I can’t help you today.”
If the Almighty took time to rest, who are you to think you can run on empty?
The irony of burnout is that you think you are ‘working hard,’ but your productivity yields nothing to show for it. Such people are at risk of losing their jobs, and then they wonder why. If you stop being productive, you stop being an asset to an organisation, and once you stop being an asset, you will be excused.
Tips for Managing Burnout at Work
1. Prioritise Self-care.
Rest is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Sleep restores your strength and renews your mind. Exercise helps your body release stress. Spend time meditating on God’s Word—it calms your spirit. Eat healthily, and don’t forget to drink water. Joy sometimes starts with a good plate of food and a grateful heart.
2. Set Boundaries
Learn to say no without feeling guilty. Avoid taking calls or replying to work emails after work hours. Guard your time with loved ones. Even Jesus withdrew from the crowd to rest and pray (Luke 5:16). If He could step away, so can you.
3. Manage Your Workload
Prioritise tasks and create a realistic to-do list. Delegate where possible. Take short breaks during the day to recharge. Sometimes, even five minutes of stepping away can make a difference.
4. Seek Support
Don’t bottle it up. Share how you’re feeling with trusted friends, family, or colleagues who can encourage and pray with you. Proverbs 17:17 reminds us, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” If burnout persists, seek professional help—there’s no shame in it.
5. Focus on the Positives
Remember why you love your job. Maintain a heart of gratitude, even in the most challenging moments. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Joy fuels resilience.
Burnout is real, but it’s not unbeatable. You’re not called to live life constantly drained. With rest, boundaries, support, and God’s wisdom, you can work from a place of strength, not survival.
💬 Your Turn
Have you ever experienced burnout? How did you bounce back? Share your story/experience in the comments so we can encourage one another.
Thank you for this timely post. If the Almighty took time to rest, who are you to think you can run on empty?. I need to rest
Exactly what I need at this time. Thank you Jesus 🙏🏾