Description

Understanding and Preventing Burnout is a comprehensive, science-informed course designed to help individuals recognize, prevent, and recover from burnout in a world of constant pressure and 24/7 connectivity.

This course explores the lived experience and psychology of burnout through a practical and compassionate lens. Participants will learn what burnout truly is, how it differs from ordinary stress, and how it develops across emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and a reduced sense of accomplishment. Grounded in evidence-based frameworks – such as the Maslach Burnout Model and modern neuroscience – this course reveals how factors like workload, personal and professional expectations, perfectionism, values conflict, and organizational culture interact to create burnout risk.

Across interactive models, students will be guided through self-assessments, energy audits, micro-rest strategies, boundary-setting tools, and reflective practices to better understand their own patterns. They will gain skills in prioritization, energy management, reconnecting with purpose, rebuilding confidence, and developing sustainable habits that support long-term wellbeing.

For leaders and teams, this course provides practical guidance on recognizing burnout in others, fostering psychological safety, improving communication and workload management, and embedding wellness into organizational culture. 

By the end of the course, participants will walk away with a personalized wellness plan and a renewed sense of clarity, self-compassion, and direction. This is more than a burnout course – it is a roadmap for creating a healthier, more fulfilling life and work experience.
 

Here is exactly what we cover in this course:

This course provides a comprehensive, practical, and compassionate understanding of burnout – what it is, why it happens, and how to prevent and recover from it. Through six structured modules, participants will gain psychological insight, self-awareness, and real-world tools to protect their wellbeing and thrive.

Module 1: Understanding Burnout

A foundation for recognizing and defining burnout.

• What burnout is and how it differs from stress and fatigue
• A brief history of burnout research
• The World Health Organization’s definition of burnout and the three dimensions (exhaustion, depersonalization, reduced efficiency)
• How these dimensions interact
• Common myths and misconceptions
• A quick self-check quiz: energy, engagement, and stress levels

Module 2: Causes and Triggers of Burnout

Explores the psychological, persona, and organizational drivers of burnout.

• The Maslach Model: workload, control, reward, community, fairness, values mismatch
• Perfectionism and over-achievement cycles
• Individual vs organizational risk factors
• The impact of technology and 24/7 connectivity
• Energy leak audit: identifying drains and restorers

Module 3: The Science of Stress and Recovery

A look into how stress physically affects the brain and body.

• The stress response (cortisol, adrenaline, allostatic load)
• Chronic stress warning signs and its impact on health
• How recovery actually works (rest, play, connection, meaning)
• Rest vs true recovery
• Micro-rest strategy: The 3-minute reset

Module 4: Preventing Burnout

Tools and habits that build long-term protection.

• Setting boundaries (with yourself and others)
• Prioritization and energy management
• Reconnection with purpose and values
• Supportive routines: sleep, nutrition, movement
• How leaders and workplaces can prevent burnout culture
• Boundary Blueprint activity (personal and professional boundary map)

Module 5: Recovery and Renewal

Practical guidance for healing and rebuilding.

• Recognizing when to rest or seek help
• Rebuilding confidence and identity after burnout
• Restorative habits: slow living, creative recovery, mindfulness, community support
• Designing a sustainable personal wellness plan
• Reflection activity: “Reclaim Your Spark”

Module 6: Leading through Burnout

Skills for managers, mentors, and people in supportive roles.

• Creating psychologically safe environments
• Recognizing burnout in others
• Team workload management and communication
• Embedding wellness into organizational culture
• Manager’s Burnout Toolkit: Scripts, checklists, supportive conversations

Closing Sections: Gentle Guidance for Navigating Burnout

This course ends with soft, compassionate reminders for long-term wellbeing.