Stress and burnout
Valuable tools and advice for navigating stress and burnout in your personal life, at work, in your marriage or as a parent
A Focus Series
Stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When we encounter a threatening situation, stress helps us navigate it in the short term as our instincts to survive kick in. But unchecked stress over long periods of time can cause a host of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual problems.
Burnout may be another term you’ve heard before. Sometimes it’s used interchangeably with stress, but the two are very different. The following articles, broadcasts and resources will help you not only understand the difference between stress and burnout, but will also equip you whether you’re dealing with stress in your personal life, at work, in your marriage or as a parent.
Additionally, every weekday morning, our team gathers to pray for the needs of families across the country. You can email [email protected] or submit your prayer request online at FocusOnTheFamily.ca/Prayer. Or if you’d like to receive prayer over the phone, call our team at 1.800.661.9800.
We also offer a free, one-time phone consultation with one of our in-house counsellors. Our counselling staff are all committed Christians and registered (Masters level) counsellors with ministry experience. Call us at 1.800.661.9800 or visit FocusOnTheFamily.ca/Counselling to learn more.
Understanding stress and burnout
Additional articles
Understanding compassion fatigue
If you’re feeling emotionally and physically overwhelmed in your position as a caregiver because you’re unable to refuel and regenerate, you may be struggling with compassion fatigue. Read more
Do you ever struggle with truly feeling loved? When we are infants, secure attachment develops as a baby expresses their need over and over and over again, and a warm, loving caregiver comes and meets the child’s need. Unfortunately, not all children have this secure attachment experience in infancy and early childhood. There are three types of insecure attachment: ambivalent, avoidant and disorganized. Read more
Books
The Hidden Link Between Adrenaline and Stress
Walking on Water When You Feel Like You’re Drowning
Overwhelmed
“Avoiding Burnout in the Midst of a Busy Life” (broadcast CD)
Ministry leaders
Pastor Joe’s no good, so sad, very bad day
Pastor Joe is burned out. For him, ministry has become painful, tiring and draining. He is not sure how he got here and he is even less sure of what to do next. He contemplates leaving the ministry, questioning why he ever felt called to be a pastor anyway. Read more
How to endure in ministry without facing exhaustion
Often the approach of dangerous overload is subtle and unseen. In its onset we may still believe that we are in control. We might feel we are getting enough sleep, taking time to be with our families, meeting our deadlines and working our schedules so that everything is being accomplished. Yet danger may be coming. The key to endurance in ministry is in the way we work, the way we pray and the way we rest. Read more
Married couples
Working through worry and stress with your spouse
Why self-care is important to your marriage
Focus on Marriage podcast
“Responding to Stress in Your Marriage” with Greg and Erin Smalley and Milan and Kay Yerkovich Listen now
“Recognizing Your Spouse’s Stress-Points” with Greg and Erin Smalley and Milan and Kay Yerkovich Listen now
Parents
First-baby stress in new dads
Why moms who struggle with anger need to be brave
Stress and parenting a child with special needs
Kids and teens
Books
Is Your Teen Stressed or Depressed?
Buster Tries to Bail: When You Are Stressed
Free Adventures in Odyssey episodes
Episode 285: “George Under Pressure”
Episode 456: “Worst Day Ever”
Episode 577: “The Business of Busyness”
Listen at FocusOnTheFamily.ca/StressAIO
COVID-19
Learn about Kerith Retreats
Are you a pastor, missionary or parachurch leader? Kerith Retreats provides a place of rest and healing for those in ministry, whether they are burned out or they want to create healthy rhythms to prevent burnout. This seven-day retreat, held at one of our two luxury retreat centres in Alberta and Manitoba, will help you experience renewal, recalibrate your thinking through teaching and one-on-one sessions with our program directors, and be equipped to re-engage in your ministry when you return home.
Learn more and see upcoming retreat dates at KerithRetreats.ca.