There’s a moment many high-achieving women recognise but rarely talk about. When your mind is still running at full speed, but your body quietly refuses to follow. When your focus fractures, your patience thins, and what once felt energising now feels heavy.
We often call it “stress.” But what’s really happening is biological.
The Science Behind Burnout
Burnout isn’t simply working too hard or feeling tired. It’s a physiological state where your body’s stress response system has been activated for so long that it begins to malfunction.
When we experience stress, our bodies release cortisol and adrenaline—hormones designed to help us respond to immediate threats. This system evolved to protect us from predators, not to handle back-to-back meetings, endless emails, and the mental load of managing both career and home life.
Why Women Leaders Are Particularly Vulnerable
Research shows that women in leadership positions face unique stressors:
- The double bind: Expectations to be both assertive and nurturing
- Emotional labour: The invisible work of managing others’ feelings
- Perfectionism: Higher standards often imposed on and by women
- The mental load: Disproportionate responsibility for household and family management
These cumulative pressures create a chronic stress state that our biology simply wasn’t designed to sustain.
Recognising the Signs
Your body sends signals before full burnout sets in:
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Sleep disruption despite exhaustion
- Increased irritability or emotional reactivity
- Physical symptoms: headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues
- Feeling disconnected from work that once felt meaningful
Moving Forward
Understanding the biology of burnout is the first step toward addressing it. When we recognise that these symptoms aren’t personal failings but physiological responses, we can begin to implement meaningful changes.
This isn’t about pushing through or trying harder. It’s about working with your brain, not against it.