Burnout Isn’t Just in Your Head - It’s in Your Hormones Too

In 2019, I hit a wall.

Despite being driven, capable, and seemingly “fine” on the outside, I was running on empty. Constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, and anxious. No amount of rest seemed to help.

Eventually, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition often triggered or worsened by chronic stress. Alongside this, I showed signs of adrenal fatigue and high cortisol. As strange as it sounds, I felt relieved to finally have an answer. But the recovery journey was long and deeply personal.

And I’m not alone.

Many women, especially those in high-pressure careers, silently push through relentless expectations and the constant juggling act of work and home life. We call it burnout, but often, it's our bodies sending a very real alarm.

Here’s what’s shocking:

• Around 80% of people diagnosed with autoimmune diseases are women.

• For Hashimoto’s, that number rises to 90%.

• Autoimmune diseases rank among the top 10 causes of death for women under 65.

  
  

This isn’t just a coincidence. Women are not designed to work like men. Our hormonal cycles, immune systems, and biological rhythms are different—yet most workplace norms are modeled on male patterns of productivity: linear, constant, unchanging. Women’s energy is cyclical, and when we ignore that, we often pay the price with our health.

⚠️ What to Watch For: 

• Constant fatigue, even after rest 

• Cravings for sugar, salt, coffee 

• Brain fog, anxiety, low mood, irritability 

• Trouble sleeping and feeling exhausted when you wake in the morning

💡 What Helped me Heal: 

• Prioritizing myself – No job or salary is worth your health.

• True rest – I left my job, took time to reset, and found a path aligned with my well-being.

• Nutrition – I focused on whole foods, balanced blood sugar, and reducing inflammation to support my autoimmune recovery.

• Supportive supplements – I found relief in ashwagandha, omega-3s, zinc, and B vitamins.

• Reclaiming joy – Through meditation, nature walks, and reconnecting with myself, I began healing from chronic stress.

• Boundaries – Learning to say no without guilt was hard, but it became essential for my healing.

Being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis was a wake-up call. Chronic stress doesn’t just drain your energy—it disrupts your hormones, your immune system, your joy, and your sense of self.

My journey hasn’t been linear or easy, but through lifestyle shifts, nutrition for autoimmune diseases, and mindset changes, I’ve found a new rhythm. I still have to be mindful—my body knows the score—but I’ve learned how to listen, rest, and respect it.

If you’re feeling the same way, you’re not weak, broken, or failing. You’re human—and maybe your body is just asking for what it was never designed to live without: rest, rhythm, and respect.

Let’s change the narrative. Let’s normalize rest, boundaries, and sustainable resilience - especially for women in high-pressure spaces.