“God is there in these moments of rest and can give us in a single instant exactly what we need” (Edith Stein, aka St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross).

Is anyone else exhausted? 

Certainly, the holidays have a way of adding stress, activity, and overwhelm to our daily schedule. But I am not talking about the fatigue that comes from hosting events and wrapping gifts. Rather, I am concerned about the longer-lasting and deleterious effects that come from true burnout—and I am not alone in this concern. In the United States, burnout affects workers in nearly every industry. We live in a culture that is struggling.

The topic of burnout is one that I have studied, and while giving dozens of presentations in English and Spanish on this topic, I have talked with countless people about their experiences with burnout. Most significantly, I have lived it. 

My own experience with burnout, along with my research, has helped me to understand the challenges that burnout inflicts upon people suffering from complete overwhelm, as well as the challenges it inflicts upon those who live with (or work with) the one struggling with burnout. These challenges can be consequential. 

Recovering from burnout (or avoiding its full effects) requires intention and support. The good news is that for anyone who wants to continue to grow in their vocation while avoiding complete exhaustion, there is hope. Our Catholic faith offers many practices and resources that can lead to healing.

What Is Burnout?

Many people initially consider burnout to be a short-term feeling of exhaustion. They think of a time when caregiving, job stress, and family needs left them feeling depleted. This is a common experience while navigating the ups and downs of life.

However, true burnout is not a temporary experience with fatigue and overwork. It lasts longer and can have significant physical, mental, and spiritual health consequences, including gastrointestinal problems, tinnitus, dermatological challenges, sleep issues, infertility, susceptibility to illness, PTSD, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, suicide ideation, negative self-talk, alienation, decreased motivation, and spiritual acedia—which may lead to a complete loss of faith.

American psychologist Herbert Freudenberger first used the term “burnout” to describe the severe stress of people working in the “helping” professions. Since that time, burnout is now commonly understood to affect everyone from homemakers to high-profile executives to educators to youth ministers to celebrities and more.

The causes of burnout are as varied as the effects and can include having a Type-A, overly ambitious personality; the unrelenting demands of caregiving; unrealistic expectations of the job; difficult co-workers; mounting responsibilities without added help; a misunderstanding of how one is called to live her Christian faith; a combination of these factors; and more.

While the effects of burnout are varied, one person’s own burnout can also affect others. People who burn out tend to have lower productivity. They may begin “quietly quitting” or even leave their workplace altogether. In addition, marriages can become strained when the burned out spouse is unable to contribute physically or emotionally to the marriage.

So, What Can Help? 

“Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Fortunately, many of our faith practices align with the science of well-being. These most basic practices include prayer, worship, rest, and leisure—leading to lasting joy. 

Christian Prayer

“Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

As I strove to overcome my own burnout, I discovered that my daily habit of prayer was critically important. Daily prayer is a recommended practice for all Christians, whether you are experiencing burnout or not. Not only does the habit of prayer draw us closer to Christ and strengthen our faith, but it also guards us against burnout and despair.

Research in faith, prayer, mindfulness, and meditation consistently demonstrates numerous benefits of a daily practice of contemplation (see here, here, and here). In fact, a quick review of popular holistic wellness programs shows that all recommend a daily practice of meditation because of the physical, mental, and spiritual health benefits associated with this practice.

However, as Catholic Christians, it is important to differentiate between the practices of Eastern meditation and secular mindfulness with the Christian practice of prayer. Whereas non-Christian meditation receives much recognition in the wellness press about its benefits, a drawback to these non-Christian practices is the focus. Typically, in non-Christian meditation, the focus is on oneself. In Christian prayer, the goal is to focus outside of ourselves and to turn our gaze toward Christ, who is the true source of life, health, hope, and love.

As I have worked to maintain a daily practice of prayer for the past 30 years, I have found that it can be challenging—especially when prayer feels dry, when it is inconvenient due to my schedule, or when it feels as though my prayers are not being heard.

In addition, during the height of my burnout, the commitment of daily prayer required tremendous obedience. On most days, my prayer felt dry and unfulfilling. Trusting that I should continue despite the aridness I experienced, I persevered ... but it was difficult and wearisome.

Bishop James Conley, in recounting his experience with burnout, stated that the Mass, the Rosary, and the Liturgy of the Hours served as “anchors [that] gave structure to my day but offered little solace. ... [The] anchors often felt like a chore, with no sense of the Lord’s presence. But I knew that to let go of Holy Mass, the Rosary, and the Liturgy of the Hours would unmoor me. ... [Yet,] I couldn’t help wondering: Where was God?”

Despite the dryness that we may feel, prayer remains one of the most important steps to healing from burnout. Our faith invites us to pray, and research affirms its value. The first step when looking to avoid or recover from burnout is to remain committed to daily prayer.

Christian Worship and Rest

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praise to your name, Most High” (Psalm 92:2).

In addition to prayer, honoring the Lord’s Day is of tremendous value. When looking more closely at this third commandment, we can see two significant elements to keeping the Sabbath. In Exodus, we read:

Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy. Six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God. You shall not do any work … For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy (Exodus 20:8-11).

This command includes rest and worship. Both contribute to our overall well-being. In fact, when considering the Ten Commandments, we discover not a list of punitive protocols that we must adhere to for fear of punishment. Rather, we see guidance for a way of living that leads to stronger relationships with God and others and ultimately, to eternal joy.

Pew research has indicated a decline in worship among Christians today. Additionally, in our hustle-and-grind culture, many no longer value rest and may even feel guilty (or simply too overwhelmed) to make time for a healthy pause. At the same time, we see an increase in mental health challenges, physical health challenges, and burnout. Is there a relationship between worship, rest, and wellness? The research indicates that there is.

The intentional practice of praise, thanksgiving, and fellowship that is part of worship, coupled with regular rest, is shown to lead to better health outcomes. It is also shown to lead to stronger faith! When burnout strikes, we must remain committed to keeping the Lord’s Day holy through worship and through rest.

Leisure? What’s That?

“Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; on the ten-stringed lyre offer praise. Sing to him a new song; skillfully play with joyful chant” (Psalm 33:2-3).

In addition to a general lack of understanding around true worship and rest, most Americans lack an appreciation of true leisure. In his book Leisure: The Basis of Culture, German Catholic philosopher Josef Pieper said that leisure includes activities that are meaningful in themselves and that true leisure must be defended. In a utilitarian culture that values a productive-all-the-time mentality, defending leisure is necessary.

According to The Wisdom of Fulton Sheen: 365 Days of Inspiration, Blessed Fulton Sheen noted that leisure is not the same as simply not working. Similarly, mindless scrolling through social media feeds and binge-watching a television series do not constitute leisure. True leisure includes activities that make us more fully human. Reading great literature, reading and creating poetry, listening to beautiful music, gardening, woodworking, crafting, and enjoying nature all contribute to our overall flourishing. In today’s non-stop busyness, however, we must defend these activities against our own compulsion to continually check one more item off a never-ending to-do list. As we strive to avoid burnout, a regular practice of leisure is crucial.

Discovering Joy: Is It Possible?

“He gives power to the faint, abundant strength to the weak” (Isaiah 40:29).

Burnout is real, and its effects can be damaging. As Catholics who desire to grow in our vocation while avoiding complete exhaustion, we have hope.

Research demonstrates a strong connection between our faith practices and overall well-being. By continuing with a daily practice of prayer, intentional worship, and a commitment to rest and leisure, we can begin to experience healing.

Finally, an important practice in avoiding and recovering from burnout includes asking for help. There is no Catholic award given to the person who manages alone. If you are struggling, please reach out to a family member, colleague, spiritual director, pastor, physician, or therapist for help. As members of the body of Christ, we have the benefit of tapping into the expertise, support, and companionship of others.

Although burnout is challenging, it does not have to lead to despair. There are numerous recommended lifestyle practices to help us avoid and recover from burnout. Most importantly, however, are those foundational habits of our faith. Through prayer, worship, rest, leisure, and the support of others, we can regain our footing, continue to grow, and discover that elusive joy that we seek.

Pamela M. Patnode, Ed.D., OblSB, is a Benedictine oblate, author, international speaker and retreat leader, and educator. Patnode holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, a Master of Arts degree in Theology, and a Doctorate in Education and has served as a consultant and contributing author to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Dr. Patnode has also served as a Catholic high school educator and dean, she is the former director of the Catholic School Leadership graduate program at The Saint Paul Seminary, and she continues to teach in The Saint Paul Seminary Catechetical Institute.