Tired Isn’t the Word: How to Recognise and Recover from Emotional Exhaustion

Emotional Exhaustion: What It Is and How to Heal

You wake up more tired than when you went to bed.

The thought of getting through the day feels heavy before your feet even touch the floor.

Tasks that used to feel manageable now leave you emotionally wiped out.

You're not just tired - you're emotionally drained.

If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing emotional exhaustion - a state that goes far deeper than everyday stress.

It’s one of the earliest and most common signs of burnout, especially in demanding professions like teaching, where you're constantly giving emotionally, mentally and physically.

Emotional exhaustion doesn’t happen overnight. It builds slowly. It’s the cumulative result of chronic stress, unrelenting expectations and the emotional labour that often goes unseen and unacknowledged.

The Hidden Weight of ‘Always Being On’

As a teacher, you’re not just delivering lessons - you're managing behaviour, supporting wellbeing, interpreting needs, making snap decisions, and absorbing the emotional states of your students and their parents, as well as colleagues. It’s a job that demands both head and heart, often leaving very little left for yourself.

You likely hear the same messages again and again:

"You just need a break",

"Use your weekends to rest",

"The holidays will sort you out."

But when emotional exhaustion has taken hold, no amount of sleep or time off seems to make a difference. That’s because what you're experiencing isn't solved by rest alone - it's a depletion of your emotional reserves.

And it’s more common than you think.

The Hard Truth in the Data

In the UK, teaching is consistently among the most stressful professions. According to the Health and Safety Executive, education has one of the highest rates of work-related stress - 2,130 cases per 100,000 workers, significantly above the average across all industries.

A 2022 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that emotional exhaustion is the strongest predictor of burnout, even more than depersonalisation (emotional numbing) or a sense of failure. It’s the warning sign that should never be ignored - yet so often is.

And emotional exhaustion doesn’t just affect your mood. It can impact your physical health, your relationships, your ability to concentrate, and your sense of self-worth. Chronic emotional stress has been linked to weakened immune function, sleep disturbances, and a higher risk of cardiovascular problems (American Psychological Association).

If you’re a woman working in education, you may be even more vulnerable. Women are disproportionately affected by emotional exhaustion due to the dual demands of professional and personal caregiving roles. The Teacher Wellbeing Index (2021) reported that women in education report higher rates of burnout, often internalising stress rather than speaking out.

It’s Not Just Burnout - It’s an Identity Crisis

One of the most difficult things about emotional exhaustion is that it makes you question who you are. You might think:

"I used to be so organised - why can't I cope anymore?"

"I used to love my job - what's happened to me?"

"I am just not strong enough?"

But let’s be clear: this isn’t a weakness. This is your body and mind saying, “I can’t keep going like this.” It’s not a flaw - it’s a flag. And recognising it is not a sign that you’ve failed. It’s the first step toward healing.

Emotional exhaustion often comes before a decision to leave the classroom, but sometimes, even after handing in your notice, it lingers. That’s because the root issue isn’t just the job - it’s the pattern of overextension, perfectionism, or always putting others first that hasn’t yet been unlearned.

You’re Not Alone - And You Can Recover

The good news? Emotional exhaustion is reversible. But it requires more than just “pushing through” or waiting for the next school holiday. Recovery begins with understanding what’s happening - and having the right support to rebuild your emotional resilience, confidence, and identity.

In the next section, we’ll explore what healing looks like in real terms - from redefining boundaries to rebuilding self-esteem and learning how to prioritise your emotional wellbeing again.

But for now, take a breath. Know that this feeling - as overwhelming as it may be - doesn’t have to be permanent. One day at a time, you can begin to feel like yourself again.

How to Heal from Emotional Exhaustion

Healing from emotional exhaustion doesn’t come from a single breakthrough moment. It happens gradually, through small, intentional steps that help you restore your energy, sense of self, and confidence in your own voice again.

This isn’t about becoming the “old you” - it’s about creating a version of yourself that is healthier, wiser, and more in tune with what you actually need.

Here’s what that healing process might look like.

1. Start with Restorative Rest

It’s easy to confuse rest with just sleeping more - but when you’re emotionally exhausted, it’s not just your body that needs recharging.

There are actually seven types of rest: physical, mental, emotional, social, sensory, creative, and spiritual. For those experiencing burnout, emotional and mental rest are especially crucial.

• Emotional rest means giving yourself permission to stop performing or pleasing. Let yourself just be.

• Mental rest might look like reducing decision-making, simplifying your schedule, or allowing time for stillness and daydreaming.

Even 10 minutes a day of intentional rest can begin to shift how you feel.

2. Rebuild Your Boundaries

Many people who burn out have poor or porous boundaries - often because they’re people-pleasers, perfectionists, or simply conditioned to put others first.

Now is the time to redefine your limits, even in small ways:

• Say no to extra commitments that don’t align with your priorities.

• Create ‘no work’ zones or times - especially outside contracted hours.

• Reduce your emotional availability where it’s being exploited.

This isn’t selfish. It’s self-preservation.

3. Reclaim Your Identity and Self-Worth

Burnout has a way of eroding your sense of identity, especially if your self-worth has been tied up in being a “good teacher” or “always available.”

Healing involves rediscovering who you are outside of work:

• What brings you joy?

• What did you love before the job consumed your energy?

• What are your values now?

This is something I work on deeply with my clients - because when self-worth becomes stronger than workplace criticism or perfectionism, the shift is powerful.

4. Talk About It (But Safely)

You don’t have to shout your exhaustion from the rooftops. But you do need safe spaces to share and be heard - whether that’s a trusted friend, a coach, or a support group of people who understand burnout.

Talking helps release the weight. It also helps you realise: you’re not weak. You’re human.

5. Use Tools That Help You Regulate Emotion

When your emotional reserves are depleted, even small triggers can feel overwhelming.
That’s why emotional regulation tools - like breathwork, grounding techniques, or journaling - can make a real difference.

Try:

• Box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4)

• A daily journal prompt like: “What do I need today?”

• NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) strategies to help release stress

Even simple tools used consistently can help you feel more in control again.

Ready to Begin?

Emotional exhaustion can feel like it’s taken everything from you - your joy, your energy, your spark.

But healing is possible. And it doesn’t have to be done alone.

If you’re ready to talk about what’s next - whether you’re staying in teaching, leaving, or not sure yet - I offer free clarity calls to help you start your recovery and explore the next step.

🗓️ Book your free session here:
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