Bloomin' Well Podcast

Why Rest Isn't Working: The Burnout vs. Chronic Fatigue You Need to Understand


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Exhausted but rest doesn't help? You might be treating the wrong kind of fatigue.

In this episode, I reveal why your "burnout" might actually be deeper systemic fatigue—and why rest alone won't fix it. If you've tried taking time off, sleeping more, and setting boundaries but you're still waking up exhausted, this episode will change everything.

You'll discover:

  • Why not all exhaustion is the same (and how to tell which type you have)
  • The 6 key questions that reveal if you're dealing with burnout or deeper fatigue
  • What's happening in your nervous system, gut, and hormones when you're systemically depleted
  • Why rest works for burnout but doesn't touch chronic fatigue (and what does)
  • The post-exertional crash pattern that signals something deeper is going on
  • How to rebuild your body's regulatory systems when they've gone offline
  • 5 practices you can start TODAY to support whichever pattern you're dealing with

This episode is for you if:

  • You sleep 8-10 hours but wake up feeling like you didn't sleep at all
  • Taking time off doesn't restore you, you feel just as exhausted after vacations
  • You crash for days after "normal" activities like grocery shopping or social events
  • You have persistent brain fog, not just tiredness, actual cognitive dysfunction
  • Multiple body systems feel "off": gut issues, hormonal symptoms, constant infections
  • You've been told to "just rest more" but rest doesn't make you feel better
  • You're starting to wonder if something is fundamentally broken in your body

Your exhaustion is information, not failure. Understanding which pattern you're dealing with stops you from wasting months on strategies that don't fit your body's actual needs.

Ready for personalized support? My one-on-one coaching program helps you identify your exact fatigue pattern and creates a comprehensive recovery plan for your nervous system, gut, and hormones. Book your free 20-minute Energy Assessment Call at bloominwell.com

Follow for daily nervous system + burnout recovery tips: @drmckenzybrewer on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube

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Bloomin' Well PodcastBy Dr. McKenzy Brewer