ONE MORE THOUGHT
Insights @Work, Life, and Work Life
Burnout Is Real — Here’s How to Keep Your Creative Edge When You’re Running on Fumes
Burnout isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the uninvited guest crashing your creative flow, bringing brain fog and a never-ending to-do list. In healthcare marketing, burnout leads to zero inspiration, resulting in the same old, same old marketing initiatives.
But guess what? You don’t have to sacrifice your spark just because you’re running on fumes. Whether you’re juggling deadlines, sitting in endless meetings, or just trying to remember what day it is, there are ways to keep your creative edge sharp — even when your coffee’s gone cold.
Let’s talk burnout, including signs, survival strategies, and protecting your creativity (and mental health).
Smoke signals: early warnings of creative burnout
Burnout doesn’t always show up with sirens blazing. Sometimes, it sneaks in slowly while you’re zoning out in meetings, snapping at coworkers, or feeling personally victimized by a campaign strategy that just won’t click.
Classic signs of burnout include:
- Questioning the point of your work — and maybe your entire career
- Feeling disconnected from your job and the people around you
- Losing your patience more frequently (or all the time)
- Not being able to concentrate or finish your work
- Turning to snacks, sips, or bad habits to take the edge off
- Sleeping all day (or not at all)
- Experiencing physical warning signs — headaches, stomach issues, and random aches — without a medical reason
If this list feels a little too relatable, it’s time to pause, check in with yourself, and start getting serious about burnout recovery.
Reset — don’t power through
Burnout is a not-so-subtle warning that your mind and body need rest. The sooner you spot it, the faster you can shut it down and get back to doing what you do best.
Here’s the thing. Powering through isn’t heroic. It’s how you end up cranky and creatively spent.
On the other hand, resetting isn’t weakness — it’s good strategy. Just like revamping a tired and stale marketing strategy, you reset creatively by stepping away, starting fresh, and giving your brain the breather it deserves.
Resetting can mean a walk, a nap, or a weekend with zero notifications. Or in very mild cases, it can mean just five minutes doing absolutely nothing. Whatever your approach, go ahead and hit reset. Then start taking care of yourself in other ways, too.
Nourish to flourish: fuel your brain and body
If you’ve been surviving on coffee and momentum, it’s time to start nourishing yourself. Creativity doesn’t thrive when you’re running on empty — especially in the fast-paced world of marketing. Your brain and body need to be fueled with food (not random snacks), water (not melted ice from your iced coffee), and movement (not pacing during a stressful call).
At SFC Group, our burnout proof routines look like:
- Fueling our bodies like we pitch campaigns. We don’t present half-baked ideas, so why would we run on half-baked meals? Consider some fruits and veggies to give your body some love.
- Hydrating like it’s our job. We take our roles seriously – and the same goes for hydration. Think water and hydrating food, like watermelon, cucumbers, and yogurt.
- Getting moving like a fast-paced deadline. Take a walk, do some yoga, or punch a punching bag if that’s what feels good.
- Resting up like our next big idea depends on it (because it does). Sleep fuels creativity and clarity. So for the love of serotonin, get some sleep every once in a while.
You can’t create your best work if your body’s stuck in survival mode. Take the time to care for it — so it can pay you back when you need it most.
Rethink “busy” culture
Weirdly, “busy” has become a badge of honor in some circles. In the marketing world especially, some folks glorify packed calendars, brag about back-to-back meetings, and treat burnout like it’s just part of being important.
But being constantly busy isn’t a flex — it’s a fast track to creative collapse.
Hustle culture says that rest is lazy and unproductive. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. True productivity isn’t about doing more — it’s about succeeding. That’s why it’s so important to be supported by leadership that values a work hard, play hard mindset, where drive and downtime are equally respected.
Instead of the martyr mindset, take back your time and start measuring success by impact, not exhaustion. It’s time to replace busy with balanced, intentional, and actually sustainable.
Burn bright, not out: protecting the creative spark
Your creativity is not an unlimited resource. It’s a fire that needs tending, a machine that needs fuel. You can’t crank out brilliance for days on end if you never let your brain breathe.
Guard your spark like it’s your superpower. Set boundaries. Say no from time to time. Take a break when you’re feeling exhausted (or even better, before you feel burnt out).
Creativity isn’t just a part of your job. It’s a part of who you are. And in marketing, it’ll make or break your career. So protect it like it matters — because it does.
Burnout? We don’t know her. Let the pros take the reins on your brand while you kick back (or at least finish your coffee while it’s still hot). Ready to breathe easier? Let’s connect.