Episode 7: Burnout vs. Rest: Naming the Signs & Reclaiming Your Energy (feat. Dr. Siobhan D. Flowers)

Burnout isn’t just feeling tired—it’s running on empty, surviving instead of thriving. In this episode of The Restful Teacher®, Dr. Siobhan D. Flowers, licensed mental health therapist and former school counselor, joins Michelle Singh to break down the difference between stress and burnout, the misconceptions about rest, and practical strategies for reclaiming your energy. Dr. Flowers shares her journey from exhausted educator to mental health advocate and how recognizing the early warning signs of burnout can help teachers take action before they hit a breaking point. If you’ve ever felt guilty about resting or wondered why no matter how much you do, it never feels like enough—this episode is for you. 

🎧 Tune in to discover: 

✅ The key differences between stress, chronic stress, and full burnout 

✅ Why rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for long-term well-being 

✅ How to incorporate "micro-moments of rest" into your busiest teaching days 

✅ The power of transitions: how to use music, scent, and movement to reset 

✅ How rest helps you reconnect with joy—not just exhaustion recovery 

💡 Key Takeaway: Prioritizing rest isn’t about doing less—it’s about showing up as your best self. The system will take everything you give it, so set your own boundaries first. 

📌 Start today: What’s one small way you can integrate intentional rest into your transitions this week? Let us know in the community!