Burnout: A Holistic Perspective

By Jennifer Marcenelle, MBA, BSN, RN, HBN-BC

Societal views on life and death are often rigid, treating them as binary states: either living or dead. Yet, these definitions fail to capture the complex realities of human experience. This limited lens also affects how we understand phenomena like burnout, which continues to perplex medical professionals and remain a pervasive global issue.

This article examines burnout from both Western medical and holistic healing perspectives, offering a framework for understanding and addressing it in ways that foster fulfillment, balance, and well-being.

The Perplexing Case of Burnout

Over the last four decades—intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic—burnout has become a global phenomenon, impacting nations, industries, organizations, and individuals alike. Even if you do not currently experience burnout, chances are someone close to you does.

The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that burnout and related stressors are at “all-time highs across professions,” yet Western medicine continues to struggle with how to define and treat it. Burnout is not technically depression, and its scope is primarily professional. This has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to classify burnout as an “occupational phenomenon,” rather than a medical condition.

Burnout manifests as a syndrome of chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, and it can affect individuals in three dimensions:

• Energy depletion or exhaustion

• Increased mental distance, negativism, or cynicism toward one’s job

• Reduced professional efficacy

By defining burnout as outside the medical domain, responsibility often falls on the individual. They may internalize blame, believing they are not strong enough, dedicated enough, or that they should have chosen a less stressful work environment. This mindset can trap them in a fight, flight, or freeze state for years.

Holistic Approaches to Understanding Burnout

Recent research emphasizes the need for multidimensional approaches that consider individual personality and holistic well-being rather than purely organizational factors. Personality traits, self-regulation, and unique responses to stressors influence how burnout manifests.

One emerging framework is the Five Pillars of Well-Being:

1. Emotional

2. Career

3. Social

4. Financial

5. Physical

By measuring and monitoring these dimensions, holistic approaches address individual experiences and attitudes that Western medical perspectives often overlook.

The Role of Spiritual Care in the Workplace

As a holistic healer, I view human life as existing on a spectrum, where both physical and spiritual health can be measured in degrees. In the workplace, this means that energy, motivation, and engagement fluctuate naturally.

Western medicine often treats these states identically, while holistic care recognizes the profound differences between being fully engaged versus feeling depleted or disengaged. Spiritual and energetic approaches in the workplace—such as mindfulness, energy healing, and holistic wellness programs—have been shown to reduce burnout and enhance overall well-being.

Burnout Treatment Through Holistic Nursing

As a Board-Certified Holistic Nurse and Ordained Minister, I assist clients in reorienting their lives away from harmful beliefs and expectations that contribute to burnout. My approach focuses on:

• Understanding how burnout develops

• Addressing both physical and spiritual exhaustion

• Offering strategies to restore energy, purpose, and alignment

Through my Holistic Living Support Employee Assistance Program (EAP™), I work with entire teams and organizations via:

• Leadership retreats

• Energy Psychology sessions

• Quantum Healing practices

These programs provide multidimensional support, fostering alignment, engagement, and long-term success.

To learn more about my programs or schedule a consultation, please visit my website. Together, we can create a healthier, more balanced approach to work and life.

References

• Abramson, A. (2022, Jan 1). Burnout and stress are everywhere: 2022 Trends Report. APA. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/01/special-burnout-stress

• Dal Corso, L., De Carlo, A., Carluccio, F., Colledani, D., & Falco, A. (2020). Employee burnout and positive dimension of wellbeing: A latent workplace spirituality profile analysis. PLoS ONE, 15(11). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242267

• Gaeta, T. J. (2020). Need for a holistic approach to reducing burnout and promoting well-being. JACEP Open, 1(5), 1050–1051. https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12111

• Smith, C.E., Barratt, C.L., & Hirvo, A. (2020). Burned out or engaged at work? The role of self-regulatory personality profiles. Stress and Health, 37(3), 572–587. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.3015

• World Health Organization. (2019, May 28). Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases

• National Library of Medicine. Depression: what is burnout? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279286/