# The Overlooked Cause Of Burnout (It's Not Stress Or Overwork) And How To Recover | Rerelease

An episode of [Teach Me How To Adult](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1502634691), 17 Jun 2026, 18 min.

Audio: https://rogers.simplecastaudio.com/157b9387-a9f0-4f4f-a170-190d2d3d7854/episodes/a1238e7e-d608-4bab-8edc-c6c5e3585773/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=157b9387-a9f0-4f4f-a170-190d2d3d7854&awEpisodeId=a1238e7e-d608-4bab-8edc-c6c5e3585773&feed=lFz5vSdJ

What if burnout isn't always caused by working too much? I've been falling back into burnout lately, and a lot of people around me have been struggling with it too. So in this throwback episode, we're exploring a lesser-known cause of burnout that rarely gets discussed: a lack of meaning, purpose, connection, engagement, and fulfillment. Most burnout advice focuses on reducing stress, taking breaks, and improving work-life balance... but tons of people are still experiencing chronic fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and low motivation even after taking a break and getting more rest. That's because burnout isn't always about overwork. Sometimes it's about undernourishment. Enter "boreout": the exhaustion that comes from chronic disengagement, lack of purpose, misalignment with your values, and not having enough meaningful experiences, relationships, creativity, or excitement in your life. Tune in to hear about: • The other cause of burnout that most people overlook • Why burnout isn't always caused by stress, overwork, or long hours • How a lack of meaning, purpose, and engagement can create chronic exhaustion • The connection between values misalignment and burnout symptoms • How technology, overstimulation, and constant productivity impact mental health • Why rest alone doesn't always fix burnout • Practical ways to create more energy, joy, creativity, purpose, and fulfillment • How to recover from burnout by building a life that energizes you Sometimes the answer isn't doing less... it's reconnecting with what makes you feel alive. For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network. Subscribe to my Substack: teachmehowtoadult.substack.com Follow us on the ‘gram: @teachmehowtoadultmedia @gillian.berner Follow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult Subscribe on YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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