In the relentless pace of modern life, the warning signs of excessive stress and impending burnout are often missed until it's too late. A therapist has now shed light on the subtle, frequently overlooked signals that your body and mind are pleading for a break.
The Unseen Burden of Constant Pressure
Therapist and hypnotherapist Kate Prance, who shares mental health guidance with her 2,070 followers on TikTok, recently posted a crucial video. Posted on November 19, 2025, her clip was captioned, 'Unusual signs you need to slow down and I bet you don't even notice you are doing them'.
In her caption, she offered a vital insight: "Your body whispers for slowness long before it ever forces you to stop, but most of us miss the early signs. Here are the subtle ones you might overlook."
The 13 Subtle Hints of Burnout
Kate Prance outlined a list of thirteen behaviours and feelings that indicate you are approaching burnout and desperately need to decelerate.
You feel persistently 'busy' even on days with a clear calendar.
You constantly flip between tabs, tasks, and thoughts without bringing any of them to completion.
You feel a sense of relief when plans are cancelled, even those you were initially looking forward to.
Your mind races incessantly, yet your body feels unnaturally heavy.
You crave rest, but when you try to relax, your thoughts become louder and more intrusive.
You find yourself staying up later than intended because you cannot quiet your mind to switch off.
You keep re-reading the same sentence because you cannot land your attention long enough to absorb the information.
Small, insignificant things trigger your irritability because you are already carrying too much 'big stuff'.
You procrastinate on simple tasks because your nervous system is operating at full capacity.
You experience random waves of emotion at odd times, then feel numb in response to events that should matter.
You long for quiet moments, but feel overwhelmed and anxious when you finally achieve them.
You experience short bursts of energy that are inevitably followed by long, draining crashes.
You actively avoid slowing down because the state of stillness feels unfamiliar, risky, or 'unproductive'.
Understanding Your Body's Protection Patterns
Kate concluded her analysis with a powerful reframing of these symptoms. She stated, "These aren’t personality quirks. They’re protection patterns. Your system isn’t trying to make life harder, it’s trying to keep you from collapsing."
The video resonated deeply with viewers, many of whom saw their own experiences reflected in the list. One user commented, "So relatable! But also scary, I am always told I do too much or need to look after me, which I do for a week then go back to my ways."
In her reply, Kate emphasised compassion, saying, "It’s about taking small steps and being kind to yourself along the way. These are old patterns in us here to protect."
Another individual asked a poignant question: "What if it’s all I know? Living that way?" Kate suggested a simple, grounding technique: "I hear you. When it’s all we know, it feels normal. Maybe try a 30-second pause each day: hand on heart, slow breath, remind yourself 'I’m safe'."
The thread became a space for shared vulnerability. One person shared, "Lost my dad in March. My father-in-law last month. All of these resound with me. I don’t know how else to get through it." Another confirmed, "Currently on sick leave for exhaustion and every single one of these is me rn (right now)."
When another commenter asked for advice on making loved ones understand their internal struggle, stating, "How do I make my partner friends family etc understand how I am feeling? They see me go to work every day and believe I’m fine," Kate offered a gentle strategy. She advised, "I am sorry to hear this, maybe try sharing small window into what it actually costs you to get through the day not to convince but to let them in."
