Burnout, Blue Skies, and the Power of Seasonal Renewal
Newlands Corner, Surrey Hills
I stepped outside this morning, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I saw blue sky. Actual, proper sunshine. Not the dull grey, not the endless drizzle—just crisp, clear, bright light. And I should have felt energised, happy, full of life. But I didn’t.
I felt exhausted. Ten months of juggling two jobs has taken its toll. Long hours, full-on work weeks spilling into busy weekends, the occasional work trip which messes with the body clock and of course the long dark cold days. When you’re constantly running at full speed, you don’t notice just how tired you are—until you do.
And this week, it really did hit me—I am this tired! Why does winter always feel never-ending? And more importantly, why do we insist on pushing through, even when our bodies are screaming at us to slow down?
If you’ve been feeling drained, sluggish, or just generally flat, you’re not imagining it. There’s real science behind why winter wipes us out—and why we need to rethink our approach to rest and renewal.
Why Winter Fatigue is Real (and It’s Not Just You)
Less Sunlight Means Less Energy
Our bodies rely on light. Sunlight helps regulate melatonin, which makes us sleepy, and serotonin, which boosts our mood. Less daylight means our bodies produce more melatonin and less serotonin, leaving us feeling sluggish and unmotivated.
Your Body Wants to Hibernate—But Life Won’t Let It
Our circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep and energy, naturally slow us down in winter. We’re meant to move less, sleep more, and conserve energy. But modern life doesn’t allow for that. Work deadlines don’t change, social expectations remain high, and we’re expected to perform at the same level all year round. The result? A constant feeling of exhaustion.
Burnout Creeps In When We Ignore the Signs
Burnout isn’t always dramatic. It doesn’t necessarily mean collapsing in a heap, though some days it feels close. It builds slowly, especially when we ignore the signals—brain fog, irritability, the nagging feeling that we just need a break.
And let’s be honest, most of us are terrible at taking breaks. We push through, telling ourselves we’ll rest later. But later never comes.
The Myth of ‘Just Keep Going’
We’re conditioned to believe that if we just push harder, we’ll break through the fatigue. But research tells us otherwise.
Overworking makes us less productive, not more. When we don’t take breaks, our brains start to lag, and tasks that should take 20 minutes end up stretching to an hour.
Rest isn’t laziness—it’s fuel. Our brains need pauses to reset, process, and come back stronger. Athletes don’t train non-stop without recovery days, so why do we expect our minds to?
Seasons are meant to have cycles. Spring renews, summer energises, autumn slows us down, and winter is for rest. Yet we act as if every season should be full-speed summer mode
“That all sounds great Jo but how can I reset and re-find my energy?”
You don’t need to wait until summer to start feeling better. Here’s how to reclaim your energy now. Believe me I’m doing the same self talk to myself right now!!
Get Outside Early (Even If It’s Freezing)
Morning light is the most effective way to reset melatonin and wake the brain up. Even ten minutes of daylight before mid-morning can boost mood and energy for the entire day. It also helps regulate sleep, making it easier to feel refreshed.
Stop Fighting Winter—Work With It
Instead of expecting yourself to be as productive as you are in the summer, adjust your approach.
Plan deep work for the morning, when energy is highest.
Allow for slower afternoons when focus naturally dips.
Take breaks and allow more rest without guilt—because your body needs it.
Schedule a Mini-Hibernation
Your body is craving recovery moments, so plan them in.
An early night once a week.
A weekend with no plans, just time to slow down.
Shorter work sprints with intentional breaks.
It’s not about doing less; it’s about doing what fuels you.
Move—Even When You Don’t Feel Like It
Winter makes us want to curl up under a blanket and stay still, but movement can help reset energy levels. This doesn’t have to mean high-intensity workouts or long gym sessions.
Ten minutes of stretching or yoga can improve circulation and alertness.
A lunchtime walk, even in the cold, can shift your mood.
Dancing around the kitchen while cooking still counts as movement.
Shift Your Mindset: Spring is Coming
The days are getting longer, the mornings are becoming lighter, and change is happening. Just as nature moves through cycles, so do we.
Take a moment to reflect:
What do you want to leave behind from this winter?
What do you want to bring into spring?
The transition is happening, and the more we work with it, the better we’ll feel.
Final Thoughts
I don’t know about you, but I’m done with running on empty.
Today’s blue sky reminded me that I don’t want to just push through another season. I want to reset, recharge, and actually enjoy the shift into spring.
Because burnout isn’t a badge of honour. And rest isn’t weakness—it’s what allows us to come back stronger.
Here’s to seasonal renewal, slower days, and blue skies ahead.