logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2023
9m 9s

#straightfromcait: Getting Your Energy B...

Cait Donovan
About this episode

During your burnout recovery, you will likely still not be at your original energy level for a while. It takes a different amount of time for everyone, but in Cait’s experience the average time frame has been around 18 months.  In today’s #straightfromcait episode, Cait Donovan, host and burnout speaker, shares 8 tips for helping to get your energy back during recovery.

 

Doing too much all at once can cause you to do more harm than good for your recovery. Start with choosing one thing to work on, and then once it becomes a habit you can move on to the next. A good place to start is seeing your doctor for blood work, or if you can afford it going to a functional medicine practitioner. If you have an underlying medical issue like anemia or low Vitamin D, you will not be able to feel energized regardless of how much mindset work you do. Another simple tip to improve your energy is to drink more water. Just adding one additional glass of water each day is a great way to keep yourself from becoming dehydrated, especially if you add in some electrolytes. 

 

Overdoing it is part of what causes burnout in the first place, so be patient with yourself during recovery. Be honest and take a step back if you find yourself doing too much. Start with small actionable steps like drinking more water or improving your posture and slowly work up to doing more as your energy returns.

 

Quotes

• “If your vitamin D or B12 are low, or if you’re anemic or your thyroid is off, you're not going to feel rested and or energized no matter how much mindset work you do.” (2:02-2:14 | Cait)

• “You can't have energy without water. If you aren't drinking enough, and you know who you are out there, add one more glass a day.” (3:44-3:52 | Cait) 

• “Check in and be honest about whether or not you're overdoing it, please. Because when you start to feel better, you might be inclined to work like you used to. And you might just not be able to do that yet. If you're overworking, you'll need to take a step back somehow. Learning how to rebalance your life is part of recovery, and it's impossible to feel rested when you're always overworked.” (5:14-5:36 | Cait)

 • “Did you know that when you're sitting in a crappy position all day and you don't breathe fully and therefore you don't use energy well, you're basically creating an inefficient machine?” (5:40-5:50 | Cait)

• “If you aren't moving because exercise still feels like it's too much, you might need to shift your mindset around what exercise means.” (6:29-6:37 | Cait)

• “Be patient with yourself, please. The desire to push yourself beyond your energetic means is a piece of what drew you to burnout in the first place.” (7:43-7:52 | Cait)

 

Links 

https://instagram.com/carolynbrownie

https://instagram.com/isabelsmithnutrition

https://instagram.com/themetabolismmakeover

https://instagram.com/lalunehealing

https://www.youtube.com/@SpringForestQigongYouTube

https://www.friedtheburnoutpodcast.com/post/riley-jarvis-the-big-secrets-of-exceptional-sleep-with-the-sleep-consultant

https://www.friedtheburnoutpodcast.com/post/carolyn-brown-love-where-you-live-beautify-your-home-and-drink-your-damn-water

https://www.friedtheburnoutpodcast.com/post/isabel-smith

https://www.friedtheburnoutpodcast.com/post/elizabeth-collins-the-burnout-witch-talks-leaky-gut-tarot-and-optimal-blood-work

https://drinklmnt.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3eGfBhCeARIsACpJNU9X5rms3Ys7g762nRUemppIJhQg3yl1Uiv6-UzrHte5xRkyD_4ZjwAaAuY7EALw_wcB

 

Want to book Cait as a speaker? https://caitdonovan.as.me/inquiry



XOXO,

C

 

If you know that it’s time to actually DO something about the burnout cycle you’ve been in for too long - book your free consult today: bit.ly/callcait

 

https://friedtheburnoutpodcast.com/quiz

 

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

 

Up next
Yesterday
Cyndie Spiegel: Use This Technique to Find Hope When You're Stuck in the Muck
<p><span>Burnout isn’t the end of your story. With Sarah Vosen’s guidance, recovery becomes not just possible—but sustainable. Learn more: </span><a href="https://caitdonovan.com/coaching" rel="nofollow">https://caitdonovan.com/coaching</a></p><p><br></p><p><span>Burnout doesn’t ... Show More
41m 42s
Nov 16
#straightwithcait: Why Behavior Change Is So Hard (and What Your Brain Has to Do With It)
<p><span>Healing happens faster with guidance. Give yourself permission to ask for and receive help: </span><a href="https://caitdonovan.com/coaching" rel="nofollow">https://caitdonovan.com/coaching</a></p><p><br></p><p><span>Most people think they’ve failed at change when they’v ... Show More
9m 12s
Nov 9
Coaching with Sarah: Spinning in the ‘Am I Burned Out?’ Loop? This One’s for You
You don’t have to carry burnout alone. The right support can help you breathe again—start here: https://caitdonovan.com/coachingBurnout doesn’t always look like collapse; sometimes it hides in the moments when you’re still performing, but your spark keeps flickering out, and that ... Show More
55m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
Burned Out? Here’s How to Recover (Without More Stress)
Burnout isn’t failure—it’s a sign you need rest. Learn how to pause, listen to your body, and heal in a way that truly restores you, without turning recovery into another task to manage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
7m 53s
May 2024
Are You Tired All The Time? Easy to Follow Tips to Increase Your Energy Throughout The Day
<p>Have you always been feeling tired recently? </p> <p>Feeling tired is something we all deal with—it's like running on empty, trying to keep up with everything on our plates.</p> <p>But what if there are simple ways to avoid that drained feeling without making things overly com ... Show More
46m 43s
Sep 2024
2687: Signs Of Exercise Burnout And What You Can Do About It by Marc Bilodeau of FitTrend on Rest & Recovery
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2687: Marc Bilodeau from FitTrend.com explores the signs of exercise burnout and provides practical strategies to overcome ... Show More
9m 51s
Oct 2024
From Wellness to Personality: The Power of Supplements Explained | Ep 54
What if the right supplements could do more than just support your body—they could actually shift your mood and energy in ways you didn’t expect? This episode peels back the curtain on how certain nutrients can dramatically impact your mood, energy, and even your confidence. Feat ... Show More
1h 9m
Oct 23
How to Stop Burnout Now
How to Stop Burnout Now October 23, 2025 | Episode 5209 Host: Scott Smith Episode Description One word will cure your burnout instantly. Scott gives it to you upfront because if that gets you, you'll be fine. Otherwise, he's got a five-step framework because that's what the inter ... Show More
12m 7s
Sep 30
394 - Tired on Monday? Try These 3 Weekend Habits to Recharge Your Nervous System
<p>There’s nothing worse than hitting Sunday night exhausted, resentful, and already bracing for Monday.</p><p>For years, my Saturdays and Sundays were one long to-do list: laundry, errands, meal prep, cleaning, maybe even “getting ahead” on work. </p><p>By Sunday night, I wasn’t ... Show More
23m 43s
Sep 2024
180. Eating and Energy Levels
<p>💡 <strong>FREE COURSE: Solve Your Food Struggles In 5 Days</strong></p> <p>Take the next step and start making healthy eating easier today.</p> <p>Access my free video series now: <a href= "https://katrentas.com/course"><strong>https://katrentas.com/course</strong></a></p> <p ... Show More
18m 52s
Aug 2024
How to Reclaim Your Energy and Overcome Chronic Fatigue | Dr. Mark Hyman
Are you tired of feeling tired all the time? You're not alone—burnout is one of the most common complaints I hear from patients. In this episode, I dive into the root causes of chronic fatigue, including how mitochondrial dysfunction could be sabotaging your energy levels. I’ll s ... Show More
33m 15s
Aug 2024
2674: Varying Your Training Intensity AND Stop Making Excuses About Time by Ross Enamait of Ross Training on Exercise Consistency
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2674: Ross Enamait highlights the balance between intensity and recovery in training. While advocating for consistency, he ... Show More
11m 35s