Can you push through burnout?

How often do you tell people you are fine when all you want to do is crawl under your duvet and sleep for 100 years? Do you even convince yourself you are living your best life when all you have time for is work and chores?

The truth is, you can’t simply push through burnout. In fact, Denial is included in Freudenberg and North's 12 stages of burnout, meaning most people who experience burnout will go through a denial phase. However, denial can be a cause as well as a symptom and this post examines how using denial as a coping mechanism can increase your risk of burnout.

Denial and Burnout

Reflecting on my experience, its difficult to comprehend how I continued in my situation for so long despite feeling so uncomfortable. I now understand that I convinced myself I was doing the right thing, making good decisions, managing or even thriving. I assured myself I was living the life I was meant to have—busy, productive, fulfilling, successful. This is what “having it all” looks like.

Deep down, I suspect I knew I wasn't healthy and happy, but I refused to accept it. If I did acknowledge something was wrong, I would attribute my discomfort to an external factor. Everything's fine, it's just that this one client is being unreasonable; once I finish this project, I'll be back to normal; or if I can just get one good night's sleep, it will be okay.

Denial is particularly common with burnout because it can be difficult for us to accept that we are not coping with our life. Our society places a high value on being busy, successful and "having it all". Admitting to yourself and others that you are struggling may feel like you are admitting you are in some way failing and no one finds that easy.

Denial as a Coping Mechanism

Denial is not all bad and generally can be a useful tool. It essentially acts as a defense mechanism that shields you from discomfort or anxiety. In many instances, this can be beneficial, especially when facing change, as it gives you time to adapt to a new situation and become accustomed to your new reality until it becomes easier or less painful to accept. A little healthy denial can sometimes be necessary to tackle a really challenging experience, whether it's starting a new job or maybe starting a family. If you constantly focus on the reality of every situation, you will never push yourself, grow, and progress.

Can You Just Push Through Burnout?

However, denial plays a key role in burnout by allowing you to continue to push through until you reach breaking point. It prevents you from acknowledging that something is wrong and from making necessary changes. The more time you spend in denial, the more severe your burnout is likely to become. Therefore, if you have a tendency to use denial behaviors you are more susceptible to burnout, or at the very least, more likely to progress further into burnout before taking any action.

With burnout, the problem is not temporary and its only going to get worse over time. You are not going to get used to the situation and eventually your body or soul (or quite often both) will fall in a crumpled heap on the floor. You can't "push through" burnout.

The Wake-Up Call

If you have a tendency to use denial as a coping mechanism you need to think carefully about when and where you are using it. You need to recognise that denial is ok in some situations but being in a state of denial over a long period of time can put you at risk of burnout.

My tendency to "push through" has got me through lots of challenging situations but with burnout it made things worse not better. Recognising and understanding this is a key part of the Anti Burnout Mindset, enabling you to increase your personal resilience and decrease your risk of burnout.

In Summary

You cannot push through burnout. Denial may keep you going for a while, but it increases your risk of long-term harm. Recovery begins when you acknowledge what’s happening and make small, meaningful changes toward balance and wellbeing.

Want more tips on managing burnout? Explore the Anti-Burnout Blog and check out the Ultimate Anti-Burnout Plan for Working Women.

Mairi Joyce

July 2025

www.balancingbluebells.co.uk