General
This is the official term for emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress.
What is burnout?
A simple 10-minute daily activity that can reduce stress and help prevent burnout.
What is mindfulness or meditation?
You’ve said this phrase 6 times today: “I’m fine. It’s just... a lot.”
What is burnout denial mode?
What’s one self-care practice you do regularly on purpose?
What is taking a walk, journaling, drinking tea, going to therapy, or doing yoga?
What’s your secret “coping mechanism” when a session is too intense to handle? (Coffee, chocolate, or just a really deep breath?)
What is pretending to be really focused while mentally planning my next snack break or scheduling a "me-time" walk afterward?
One key emotional symptom of burnout, often mistaken for “just being tired.”
What is Emotional Exhaustion?
This professional support is recommended when you’re starting to feel overwhelmed.
What is supervision or consultation?
You accidentally called your client by your dog’s name.
What is cognitive overload?
What’s a small, realistic boundary you’ve set that protects your energy?
What is not checking emails after 6PM? Or not taking calls during lunch breaks?
When you need to clear your mind between clients, what’s the first thing you do?
What is a deep breath, a quick stretch, or staring at the wall until you remember what day it is?
Poorly maintained personal and professional _______ are a major contributor to burnout among social workers.
What is Boundaries?
When you’re overextended, this magical two-letter word becomes your best friend.
What is "No"?
You opened your laptop, stared at it for 10 minutes, then took a nap.
What is executive dysfunction?
When you're starting to feel crispy (aka burnt out), what’s your first sign?
What is irritability, exhaustion, forgetting things, or fantasizing about quitting everything to live in a cabin?
What song do you play when you need to "shake off" the stress of the day?
What is "Eye of the Tiger" for a little energy boost, or "Weightless" by Marconi Union if you need to zen out?
Burnout can sometimes feel like this phenomenon, where you stop caring or feel detached from clients.
What is Depersonalization?
This 90s journal trend has made a comeback for managing stress and tracking emotional patterns.
What is journaling?
Your "quick break" turned into a 45-minute scroll through calming dog videos.
What is Escapism?
Name one thing you do outside of work that has nothing to do with helping others.
What is painting, hiking, gaming, baking, dancing, or rewatching 'The Office' for the 12th time?
What's your favorite way to reward yourself after a difficult or emotionally draining session?
What is treating myself to a fancy coffee, taking a 10-minute social media break, or having a mini dance party in my car?
Burnout is often confused with this more serious mental health condition.
What is depression?
This small but mighty ritual can create a buffer between work and home life.
What is transition routine (like a walk, playlist, or deep breath in the car)?
You had a full-blown conversation in your head with your supervisor… and they lost.
What is imaginary conflict from stress?
What’s your go-to “reset” ritual after a really hard day (no judgment if it’s binge-watching reality TV)?
What is crying in the shower, watching trash TV, ordering takeout, or hugging my pet like a therapy animal?
When you're feeling completely overwhelmed, what’s your secret therapy for getting back to center? (Hint: It might not be therapeutic at all!)
What is calling a friend, eating a whole bag of chips in silence, or watching an entire season of a Netflix show in one sitting?