Healing Burnout and Emotional Exhaustion: A Somatic & IFS Approach to Recovery

Burnout and emotional exhaustion are nervous system responses to prolonged stress and responsibility. Many people experiencing burnout are capable, high-functioning, and deeply committed, yet feel depleted, foggy, or unable to truly rest. This article explores what burnout really is, why rest alone is often not enough, and how chronic stress becomes stored in the body. It also explains how somatic therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS) support lasting burnout recovery by restoring safety and regulation rather than pushing for more effort.