REVIEW: “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle”
"Most of us are no strangers to the feeling of burnout, but how can you try to prevent and overcome it?" (Jadyn Jacobs).
September 3, 2024
Jadyn Jacobs, Editor-in-Chief
Most of us are no strangers to the feeling of burnout, but how can you try to prevent and overcome it? Both of these questions and many more are answered in “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Emily and Amelia Nagoski.
This book describes the science behind stress and burnout, particularly for women, in a way that’s accessible to all readers. It’s split into three sections. The first section, What You Take with You, discusses “completing the cycle”, managing stress, and finding meaning. The second section, The Real Enemy, discusses how the way society is set up, specifically relating to women, contributes to our stress and eventual burnout. The last section examines how people can combat burnout. Overall “Burnout” is educational, validating, and helpful.
“Burnout” is educational and supplies readers with knowledge in understanding what they're feeling and why they’re feeling symptoms of burnout. There’s loads of information in this book about the stress cycle, how your brain and body respond to stress, and how you relieve stress. Readers will be plenty informed about burnout by the end of the book, and this knowledge will hopefully aid them in completing their own stress cycles as well as help readers understand themselves and others.
One aspect of “Burnout” that sets this book apart is how it dives into the science of stress using personal stories from the authors and those close to them. This makes the book more attainable and relatable to readers and also adds a bit of much-needed humor. This style also creates a sort of character in a story feel, which makes it much easier to read for those who aren’t normally fond of nonfiction.
This book is validating and allows readers to put what they have been feeling into words. “Burnout” through the stories and statistics helps readers feel less alone. This keeps the book engaging and helpful to readers.
“Burnout” is an engaging, informational, and relatable book that will change your mindset, and is well worth the read.
