logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
17m 28s

#straightfromcait: Burnout and Exercise ...

Cait Donovan
About this episode

If you used to have an exercise routine before burning out, you may be wondering when it is safe to start exercising again. The truth is that it differs for everyone, and you know your body better than anyone else. Learning to listen to your body and make adjustments based on what it is telling you is key for burnout recovery. In today’s #straightfromcait episode, Cait Donovan, host and burnout speaker, shares tips for incorporating exercise into your burnout recovery.

 

Movement is critical for your overall health. Resting is a big part of recovery too, but that does not mean sitting around doing nothing all day every day. Start incorporating movement back into your life slowly and see how it goes. Don’t try to do a high intensity workout or a big run right away as those things are likely to overuse your energy stores and cause you to crash harder. Just adding in a short ten or twenty minute morning walk can make a huge difference. Energy building exercises like Tai Chi and Yin Yoga can be excellent tools to add movement back into your day without pushing your body too far. 

 

Everyone’s body is different, so only you can really know how much exercise your body is ready to take on. Listening to your body and getting really in tune with how it is feeling is the best thing you can do for your overall burnout recovery. Start by going slow, checking in with your body after every movement, and making sure you are getting enough fuel through what you are eating. 

 

Quotes

• “The best time to do this 10 or 20 minute walk is as close to sunrise as possible, that way you are starting the proper cascade of hormones in your body right from the get go.” (7:19-7:31 | Cait)

• “Pushing it with exercise when you're feeling strong is a good thing to do, that's a healthy thing to do. But when you're burned out, it can be a little bit tricky, because it overuses your energy.” (10:25-10:33 | Cait)

• “In order to exercise efficiently and to use the energy well, and for your body to get stuff out of it, you should have quality food.” (13:47-13:54 | Cait)

• “Keep moving any way that you can. Add more when you feel up for it, scale back if it exhausts you, and check in with your fuel sources.” (15:22-15:33 | Cait)

• “Listening to what your body is telling you is the most critical factor in your recovery.” (15:39-15:44 | Cait)

 

Links 

 

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

https://instagram.com/carolynbrownie

https://instagram.com/isabelsmithnutrition

https://instagram.com/themetabolismmakeover

https://drinklmnt.com/

 

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

 

Up next
Today
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
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
2721: Should You Work Out Twice A Day by Eric Leija on Muscle Recovery & Growth
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 2721: Ramping up to two-a-day workouts might seem like a fast track to fitness gains, but Eric Leija emphasizes that qualit ... Show More
9m 43s
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
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
Oct 2024
2747: Can You Get the Benefits of Exercise Between Workouts? by Emma Hogan of Les Mills on Burning Calories
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 2747: Emma Hogan explains how to extend the benefits of exercise beyond your workouts by embracing Non-Exercise Activity Th ... Show More
10m 7s
Oct 2024
2725: Why More Is Not Always Better and How to Find Balance with Exercise by Lea Genders 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 2725: Lea Genders emphasizes the importance of finding a balance in your exercise routine. While it's tempting to believe t ... Show More
11m 10s
Oct 2024
2748: How to Order Your Workout Routine & How to Structure a Short or Long Fitness Regimen
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 2748: Stacey’s question highlights a common workout dilemma: does exercise order matter? Dr. Neal explains that starting wi ... Show More
9m 4s
Jul 2024
2387: How Much Should You Really Workout?
How Much Should You Really Workout? The misconception around how much exercise you need to do to optimize your body’s progress. (2:07) Why does exercise, if done properly, build muscle? (5:05) “The goal is to do as little as possible, to elicit the most amount of change.” (11:38) ... Show More
44m 7s