Why You Can't Switch Off (And It's Not About Workload)

About this episode

This episode explores the misconceptions about rest and burnout in high-stress jobs, introducing the concept of the Superhero Delusion.

Burnout in high stress jobs isn't always about doing too much; sometimes it's about a belief you were never taught to question. You finished your day, finished (most) of your tasks, and you still can't switch off. Most people assume that's a workload problem, but the reason people in demanding roles like medicine can't genuinely rest isn't about how much they've done - it's about what they've been conditioned to believe about rest itself In this episode, Rachel introduces the Superhero Delusion: the conviction that the rules about rest apply to other people. Not to you. She explores how that belief was built, why burnout recovery starts with understanding rest differently, and what sustainable work actually requires. We cover: Why you can't switch off - and why workload isn't the real reason The Superhero Delusion: the conviction that the rules about rest apply to other people, not you How the belief that rest has to be earned gets installed - and who installed it What sustainable work actually requires (and it isn't more discipline) This episode is for you if you're the person who has to be on even when you're officially off. Who takes annual leave and spends the first two days…

People in this episode

Host: Dr Rachel Morris

Topics covered

• burnout
• rest
• Superhero Delusion
• workload
• sustainable work
• belief systems

Keywords

• burnout
• rest
• Superhero Delusion
• workload
• sustainable work
• beliefs about rest
• high stress jobs

More episodes of You Are Not A Frog

• The Occupational Hazard Every High-Achieving Leader Needs to Know About · June 1, 2026 · 55 min
• Why Imposter Syndrome Isn't a Confidence Problem · May 25, 2026 · 27 min
• Why Your Workload Keeps Growing Without You Agreeing To It · May 18, 2026 · 1h 1m
• What to Do When Your Career Map No Longer Fits · May 11, 2026 · 31 min
• How to Break the People-Pleasing Cycle That's Burning You Out · May 4, 2026 · 1h 9m
• How to Stop Doing Everything · April 27, 2026 · 26 min