How Stress Becomes Burnout Via The Nervous System

Many people recognise times when it becomes harder to switch off. We may feel constantly under pressure, more emotionally reactive or as though we are just about keeping up. But sometimes ongoing stress can begin to shift into something else – where we feel more exhausted, detached and less able to think clearly or recover.In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Dr Claire Plumbly, clinical psychologist and author, about how stress can sometimes progress into burnout through its impact on the nervous system.The conversation explores the difference between stress and burnout and how burnout may develop when the nervous system stays under pressure for too long. Lee and Claire discuss the green, amber and red states of the nervous system and how understanding these can help make sense of why coping may suddenly feel harder – or why we may feel more disconnected, overwhelmed or shut down.They also reflect on why burnout is often about more than work alone. Caring responsibilities, parenting, menopause, challenging relationships and the pressure to keep going can all add to the load we are carrying. The discussion explores why feeling heard matters when life feels overwhelming, and practical ways to support recovery – including building small pauses and transition points into busy days.This is a thoughtful conversation about stress, burnout and recovery, offering a more compassionate and realistic way to understand why coping can sometimes start to feel harder.Key moments00:00 The tennis ball machine analogy02:46 Stress versus burnout05:47 The tipping point into burnout08:01 Burnout beyond paid work10:47 Burnout and the nervous system16:37 Green, amber and red zones18:33 Why we need green to think22:13 Burnout and trauma parallels27:07 Relationships and nervous system safety35:08 “Wow, that’s a lot”40:02 Transition points and resetAbout the guestDr Claire Plumbly is a clinical psychologist, author of the Amazon bestseller Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You, and founder of Plum Psychology – a psychology practice for overcoming trauma, burnout, anxiety and low self-esteem. Claire and her team are trauma-trained psychologists offering therapy, workplace workshops and EMDR intensives. She is based online and in Taunton, Somerset. You can connect with Claire via her website, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn About the hostDr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david