Overcoming Burnout: A Psychologist’s Guide for Bay Area Professionals
Burnout—More Than Exhaustion
You’ve pulled all‑nighters at Embarcadero offices and survived another “urgent” Slack thread at midnight. Burnout isn’t just physical fatigue—it’s emotional, mental, and existential.
Early Warning Signs
Chronic irritability on BART
Cynicism about projects you once loved
Dropped hobbies (goodbye, weekend hikes in Joaquin Miller)
Why Men Hide It
Admitting burnout feels like failure. But hiding it only deepens the hole.
Three‑Pronged Recovery Plan
Boundary Reboot: Schedule an “email curfew” at 7 pm. Block your calendar from 7–8 pm for transition—walk along Crissy Field or around Montclair.
Values‑Aligned Goals: List your top three values (e.g., “family,” “growth,” “authenticity”). Audit tasks: if they don’t serve a value, delegate or drop them.
Restorative Rituals: Pick one weekly ritual—yoga at SFC Mission or a BBQ in Jack London Square. Stick to it, no excuses.
Case Study—Steve the CTO
Steve, 42 and CTO at a South Bay startup, thought skipping family dinners was “normal.” After hitting bottom, he enforced a daily 6 pm shutdown. Six weeks later: better sleep, happier marriage, and—and this shocked him—renewed creativity.
Call to Action
Burnout doesn’t resolve itself. Let’s map your recovery plan—no sugar‑coating, just practical steps. Schedule your burnout assessment today.
