Why You’re Exhausted All the Time: Burnout, Anxiety, or Both?

Do you feel like you’re running on empty, no matter how much sleep you get? Maybe you wake up tired, push through the day, and collapse into bed without ever feeling truly rested. If that sounds familiar, you’re not lazy or broken. You might be experiencing burnout, anxiety, or both.

Therapy can help you untangle what’s happening and start feeling like yourself again.

What Is Burnout?

Burnout is more than being overworked; it’s a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It often shows up when you’ve been “powering through” for too long without real rest or support.

Common signs of burnout include:

• Constant fatigue, no matter how much you sleep

• Feeling numb, detached, or emotionally flat

• Irritability or a short fuse

• Difficulty concentrating or feeling motivated

• Increased physical symptoms (headaches, tension, digestive issues)

• Dread at the start of the day, even if you love your job or family

You may look “functional” from the outside, but feel like you’re crumbling inside.

Is It Burnout or Anxiety?

The tricky part? Burnout and anxiety often overlap and feed into each other.

Anxiety can cause:

• Racing thoughts or overthinking

• Sleep disruptions and restlessness

• Muscle tension or stomach pain

• Feeling on edge, even when nothing’s “wrong”

• Emotional exhaustion from constant worrying

Meanwhile, burnout makes it harder to cope, which intensifies the anxiety. It’s a cycle: the more overwhelmed you feel, the more anxious you get. And the more anxious you get, the more drained you feel.

Why High-Achievers and Caregivers Are Especially Vulnerable

Burnout can creep in slowly if you tend to push yourself, take care of others, or carry a lot of responsibility. You might not notice it until you hit a wall, emotionally or physically.

People most likely to experience burnout include:

• Parents and caregivers

• Healthcare or helping professionals

• Perfectionists and high-achievers

• Those navigating life transitions, chronic stress, or limited support

You may be used to doing it all, but that doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it alone.

How Therapy Helps You Recover (Without Quitting Everything)

Therapy provides a space to pause, reflect, and re-center. It helps you figure out what’s draining you, why you’ve kept pushing, and how to rebuild your energy and identity.

In therapy, you can:

• Understand the root causes of burnout and anxiety

• Set healthier boundaries with work, family, or yourself

• Reconnect with joy, rest, and emotional regulation

• Learn coping skills to reduce overwhelm and increase resilience

• Make sustainable changes without burning it all down

Work with Dr. Kristin Rice, DBH

Kristin Rice, DBH, specializes in working with high-functioning adults experiencing burnout, anxiety, perfectionism, and caregiving stress. Her approach blends structure with compassion, so you feel supported and empowered to make meaningful change.

Whether you're quietly exhausted or loudly overwhelmed, Kristin provides the tools and space to reclaim your self.

Tired of Being Tired? Let’s Shift That Together.

You don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode. Kristin is currently accepting new clients for virtual therapy in Connecticut.

Book a consultation to start your burnout recovery journey.