Have you ever experienced emotional burnout? Burnout can come from many things. It can sneak in quietly, perhaps beginning with constant fatigue, irritability, lack of motivation, or that strange heaviness in your chest that doesn’t seem to go away. Does that sound familiar? Many people experience burnout. It’s all too common.
Emotional burnout is your nervous system’s way of waving the white flag. It’s a sign you’ve been in survival mode for too long without true rest, both physically and emotionally. And while bubble baths and deep breaths are helpful, true recovery goes deeper and may take a bit longer. It’s about reconnecting with your body, calming your mind, and giving your spirit a safe place to land again.
This post is all about emotional burnout and recovery.
As a professional aromatherapist and wellness practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how natural remedies and simple rituals can become powerful tools for emotional recovery. This post is here to support you with gentle guidance, essential oil blends, and grounding self care practices that can help you feel like yourself again, one day at a time. This is not a one day journey. It will probably take some time to heal. Remember the old saying, “This too shall pass”. So far, you’ve survived everything that life has thrown at you, because you are stronger than you think. If no one has told you yet today, you are awesome!
If you’re emotionally exhausted and craving a way back to yourself, take a deep breath. You’re in the right place. Let’s begin the healing.
What Emotional Burnout Looks Like
Emotional burnout isn’t always obvious at first. It builds slowly, often disguised as just being “tired” or “off.” But left unchecked, emotional burnout can leave you feeling numb, disconnected, and completely overwhelmed by even the smallest tasks.
You might be experiencing emotional burnout if:
- You wake up already feeling exhausted.
- You have a short fuse or feel emotionally raw all the time.
- You’ve lost interest in things you used to enjoy.
- You find it hard to concentrate or make decisions.
- You feel like you’re carrying an invisible weight no one else sees.
- You crave alone time but feel lonely at the same time.
- Your body aches, your sleep is poor, or your digestion is off.
These symptoms aren’t just “in your head.” Emotional burnout affects many body systems including your nervous system, hormones, and even your immune health. And when you push through without rest or support, the cycle continues.
The good news is you can break free. Nature offers us simple, powerful tools to reset and repair. When you support your emotional health with intention, you start creating space for healing, and it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Up next, I’ll show you how to begin the recovery process using natural methods that restore balance to your mind, body, and spirit.
Natural Ways to Recover
1. Create a Simple Restorative Ritual with Essential Oils
Essential oils offer powerful support when you’re dealing with emotional burnout. They work through the nervous system to promote calm, clarity, and emotional release. Choose grounding oils that help soothe frayed nerves and lift emotional heaviness.
Here’s a calming Emotional Reset Diffuser Blend:
- 3 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 2 drops Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
- 1 drop Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L)
Diffuse this blend during quiet time, journaling, or just while you rest. Let the aroma signal safety and stillness to your mind. I love the mantra, “just for this moment, everything is fine.” Repeat it softly to yourself, or choose another phrase that promotes peace within you.
2. Soak in a Nervous System Reboot Bath
A warm bath can be incredibly therapeutic during emotional burnout. Combine the power of magnesium (Epsom salts) with essential oils to restore your nervous system and encourage deep rest.
Try this recipe:
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- ½ cup Magnesium chloride salt flakes
- ½ tablespoon carrier oil of your choice (ie: olive oil, sweet almond oil or other)
- 4 drops Vetiver
- 2 drops Roman Chamomile
- 2 drops Sweet Orange
Soak for 20 minutes in low light or candlelight. Focus on your breath. Let the water wash away the emotional weight you’ve been carrying.
3. Support Emotional Healing with Herbal Teas
Your body and emotions are deeply connected. Nourishing your nervous system with herbal teas can help rebuild emotional resilience and calm your body’s stress response.
Some of the best herbs for emotional burnout include:
- Lemon balm – calms anxious thoughts
- Oat straw – restores depleted energy
- Chamomile – soothes tension and irritability
- Tulsi (Holy Basil) – balances mood and hormones
Sip slowly. Turn it into a small ritual. Let each cup remind you that you’re actively healing.
4. Ground Yourself with a Five Minute Reset
Emotional burnout often disconnects you from your body. A simple sensory reset can bring you back into the present moment and restore your sense of safety.
Try this:
- Rub a grounding essential oil blend on your wrists (try cedarwood, patchouli, and lavender in jojoba oil).
- Step outside. Place your feet on the ground.
- Take five deep breaths.
- Say aloud: “I am safe. I am allowed to rest. I am healing.”
These micro moments add up. They tell your nervous system it’s okay to stop surviving and start restoring.
5. Journal Your Way Back to Clarity
When your mind feels tangled from emotional burnout, journaling can help you sort through the noise. Jot down some thoughts on your perfect day. What time do you rise? What are your favourite activities to explore? You don’t need to write anything profound, just give your emotions a safe place to land.
Here’s a simple journal prompt that you may want to use to help clear your mind and release energy: “What am I holding that I no longer want to carry?”
You might be surprised at what comes up. Let it out without judgment. This is your sacred space.
6. Stretch It Out with Gentle Yoga
You don’t need to be flexible or athletic. Just move gently. There are plenty of free yoga and stretching videos online designed for stress relief and emotional release. Just start with 10 minutes to help shift your energy.
7. Try a Simple Craft or Creative Hobby
When your mind is overworked, using your hands can bring calm. The Dollar Store often has fun craft kits you can try with zero pressure. Paint, bead, glue, or stitch, just for the joy of it.
8. Music is Medicine
Music speaks to emotion when words fall short. Light a candle, sit in a cozy space, and explore healing sounds, like indie folk, chillstep, nature sounds, or even Gregorian chant. The app Insight Timer has a great selection of relaxing music for meditation, relaxation and sleep. Whatever resonates, let it wrap around you.
9. Make Sleep a Priority
During emotional burnout, sleep is not a luxury, it’s known as rest and repair. Create a soothing bedtime ritual that provides you with peace. Use a pillow mist with lavender or chamomile, put your phone away an hour before bed, dim the lights, and give yourself permission to truly rest.
10. Eat Healthy Foods
Food is information for your body. A healthier diet can help regulate mood, blood sugar, and energy, which are all crucial during emotional burnout. Start small. Just focus on a healthy breakfast. When you are comfortable with that, focus on adding a healthy lunch, and then expand to dinner and snacks. It doesn’t take long to feel the difference.
11. Go for a Walk (or Swim)
Walking helps clear mental clutter and reset your mood. If walking feels too hard on the body, try swimming at your local community centre. Movement doesn’t have to be intense. Be consistent and kind to yourself.
12. Clean One Small Space
A chaotic space can mirror a chaotic mind. Don’t aim for a full overhaul. Start by choosing one surface. Clear a table, organize a drawer, tidy a closet. Let your environment reflect your healing.
13. Make Lists
Write things down. Lists help relieve mental pressure. Whether it’s a grocery list, a to-do list, or a list of things that bring you joy, it helps you breathe easier.
14. Bonus Tip: Set Boundaries
When you’re recovering from emotional burnout, boundaries are essential. It’s okay to say no to events, texts, or conversations that drain you. This isn’t forever, it’s just for now, while you heal.
When to Reach Out for Help
If you’ve tried a few of these ideas and still feel stuck in a fog, or if your emotions feel too heavy to carry and you’re struggling to get through the day, it might be time to reach out for support. Emotional burnout can sometimes blur into anxiety or depression, and you don’t have to navigate that alone. Talk to a trusted friend, reach out to a mental health professional, or speak to your healthcare provider. Asking for help is a powerful, courageous step toward healing.
Start Where You Are
Emotional burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’ve been strong for too long without enough support, rest, or space to simply be. But healing is possible. One small ritual at a time. One quiet moment. One breath.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Just begin with one thing; one walk, one tea, one drop of lavender in your diffuser, and let it build. Slowly, your energy will return. Your spark will come back. And you’ll feel like yourself again. Not the rushed, burnt out version of you, but the real you. The one who is steady, grounded, and full of quiet power.
If this post resonated with you, I invite you to share it with someone who might need a little emotional support right now. And if you’re looking for more natural ways to care for yourself, I’ve got plenty of aromatherapy tips, rituals, and DIYs to help you along the way.
You are not alone. You are deeply supported, and your healing has already begun.
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by any organization or authority. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Further Reading
Learn more about oat straw tea here