Are You Tired? Why Women Leaders Struggle to Unplug—and How You Can Refresh Before the Holidays

I know you know this. I'm sure you've heard it; certainly, I talk about it a lot. Heck, I'm betting you've lived it. Maybe you're living it right now. Let's talk about it: Many women struggle to take time for themselves—especially as the year wraps up. With so much going on at work and at home, the need for rest is clear, but the guilt of stepping away feels even stronger.

Why do women leaders find it so hard to unplug? The answer lies in a culture that rewards "the grind," perfectionism, and constant pressure to always be “on.” Women, in particular, face the invisible expectations of balancing professional duties with personal commitments—often at the expense of their own well-being.

But here's the thing: not taking time to recharge is a surefire way to hit burnout, and it’s a problem we need to address now, before the holiday rush takes over.

The Pressure to Always Be “On”

For women leaders, the pressure to be constantly available is overwhelming. We want to be reliable, indispensable even, in both our personal and professional lives. We're trying to measure up and be taken seriously, and if this is what it takes, this is what we'll do.... right? This is especially true as year-end approaches, and everyone seems to want a piece of our time—whether it's for work projects or planning family gatherings.

The constant juggling act doesn’t just drain our energy—it chips away at our effectiveness. According to a study by the American Psychological Association (APA), 47% of working women say they regularly feel burned out, compared to just 38% of men. For women in leadership, that number is likely even higher. YIKES.

Why Rest Feels Impossible

Women leaders often feel guilty about stepping away, even for a moment. There's a nagging feeling that if we stop, things will fall apart—at work or at home. There's fear that if we stop and put ourselves first, we'll let everyone down.

And we're also afraid that if we take a break or try to set boundaries, we'll lose ground, we'll lose the confidence of everyone around us, and our boss will think differently about us. But this mindset comes at a price. Lack of rest and recovery not only leads to burnout but also undermines our ability to perform at our best.

"So What? How Bad Can Burnout Be?"

Well, let's do the rundown:

• The mental and physical exhaustion that comes with burnout can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and disengagement.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies burnout as an "occupational phenomenon" and attributes it to lost productivity that costs the global economy an estimated $323 billion annually.
• Burnout is not just a "feeling"—it leads to real health consequences. According to the American Psychological Association, chronic stress caused by burnout can lead to serious conditions like heart disease, hypertension, and even type 2 diabetes. And, women face a higher risk of stress-related illnesses because they are often managing more emotional labor both at work and at home.

I've worked with many burned-out clients over the years, and let me tell you something: burnout isn't just "being tired." It's being fatigued to such an extreme degree that you lose interest in doing anything at all. It's feeling so bad during the weekends that you don't want to see your friends, which can lead to a loss of community and social connection, vital components to a rich, happy life. And if it's left too long? It manifests as pain in the body (read The Body Keeps the Score and Healing Back Pain). It leads to serious illness.

I've had burned-out clients say that they'll keep going, even in spite of knowing the dangers of burnout because they are trying to hang onto their jobs in the face of unpredictable layoffs and market shifts. (I can't help but take a deep breath at that one - what are we doing so wrong, that this is the state that our leaders and employees are in?)

Even if burnout was just mere exhaustion, the truth is, we can’t lead effectively when we’re exhausted. When we’re constantly running on empty, creativity and problem-solving take a hit. But the guilt of taking time for ourselves, combined with a never-ending to-do list, keeps us from truly unplugging.

You Can Break the Cycle With Subtle Changes

So what if you can't stop? What if you're one of those people who feels like you have to keep at the grind, keep saying yes, keep taking more on, even though you're tired? There actually are ways to get the rest you need, even in the midst of that chaos.

Studies from Harvard Business Review have shown that leaders who regularly take time to recover are not only more productive but also more respected by their teams. You can recharge without sacrificing success.

I want to tell you how in this article. I really do. But I'd rather show you while giving you a little time for yourself. In my upcoming webinar, I'll share exactly how to carve out time for yourself—without dropping the ball at work or home. I’ll show you how to set boundaries that stick (even in tough work environments), and how to reclaim your calendar to create space for what really matters.

Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. And as women leaders, we need to start treating it that way. If you’re ready to regain your energy and step into 2025 with clarity and strength, join me for this free leadership webinar .

Register Here Today