Burnout

Book by Emily Nagoski, PhD & Amelia Nagoski, DMA (2019)

Twin sisters (a health psychologist and a choral conductor) unpack why so many women feel overwhelmed and chronically stressed, and offer science-backed strategies to break out of the burnout cycle. They explain the need to complete the “stress response cycle” (e.g. using physical activity, crying, or creative expression to tell your body it’s safe) rather than just soldiering on. Importantly, they validate that the problem isn’t personal failure: societal pressures and double standards (from workplace sexism to “self-care” marketing) fuel women’s burnout. The tone of this book is compassionate and optimistic. It speaks directly to emotionally exhausted professionals, acknowledging the very real external obstacles to their well-being and then providing practical, warmly presented tools to cope. It bridges Western science with an understanding of collective pressures on women of colour and others. As Brene Brown noted, the Nagoskis “explain with compassion and optimism what we’re up against – and show us how to fight back,” helping readers feel seen and empowered to make small changes. (Each chapter ends with simple exercises, e.g., a breathing technique to trigger relaxation.) You can check the book’s webpage here.