Leading Through Burnout: How to Care for Yourself So You Can Care for Others

Let’s talk honestly for a moment, about burnout.

If you’ve been feeling more tired than usual, finding it harder to focus, or noticing that the joy you once felt in your work has dimmed a bit, you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not failing, you are human.

Leadership is an incredibly rewarding path, and it also comes with weight. We take responsibility for people, for outcomes, for navigating uncertainty, and sometimes that weight becomes too heavy if we don’t pause to care for ourselves along the way.

Burnout rarely shows up overnight. It tends to creep in quietly. Maybe you’ve noticed persistent exhaustion, physical or mental. Or a growing sense of detachment or cynicism about your work. Perhaps your creativity or effectiveness feels blunted, or your patience with others is wearing thin. If any of this resonates, it may be time to hit pause, not to stop leading, but to start leading yourself with greater care.

The good news is, there are small but meaningful ways to begin healing from burnout. First and foremost, give yourself permission to rest. Not just a few moments here and there, but genuine, restorative rest. Take that long overdue vacation. Unplug fully on evenings and weekends. Prioritize sleep as the essential fuel it is. Not a luxury to be sacrificed.

Next, take an honest look at your workload. What are you carrying that could be lightened? Are there responsibilities you can delegate, meetings you can gracefully bow out of, or tasks that no longer serve your most important priorities? Trimming the excess creates space to breathe.

Movement also matters. Our bodies store stress, and physical activity, even a simple walk, helps release it. Make time to move regularly, not as another item on your to-do list, but as an act of self-care.

Beyond the physical, it’s important to reconnect with what gives your work meaning. Burnout often disconnects us from our purpose. Take time to reflect: Why did you choose this path? What impact do you still want to make? Re-centering on your “why” can reignite a sense of hope and direction.

And remember, you don’t have to go it alone. Leadership can be isolating, but vulnerability builds strength. Talk with trusted peers, mentors, or a counselor. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness, it’s an act of wisdom and courage.

Prevention, of course, is even better than recovery. Sustaining leadership over the long haul means adopting habits that keep your inner tank full. Protect your boundaries, model the work-life balance you hope to inspire in others. Block time for reflection and thinking, not just tasks and meetings. Stay connected to a peer network so you don’t lead in a vacuum. Regularly check in with yourself, how is your mental, emotional, and physical health? And don’t forget to celebrate progress, not just outcomes. Doing so keeps motivation and meaning alive.

Most of all, know this: YOU matter. Your well-being isn’t secondary to the mission, it’s part of the mission. When you lead from a place of care, compassion, and clarity, that positive energy ripples through the entire organization. When you neglect yourself, burnout spreads just as easily.

So if you’ve been waiting for permission, here it is. Take the break. Ask for help. Breathe. We’re all in this together, and we need each other at our best, not burned out, but thriving.

Stay tuned for upcoming article on how to set and maintain boundaries, get organized, and focus on self care using the PIES (Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Social/Spiritual) method.