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Episode 7: The Truth About Burnout, Play & Why Adults Forgot How to Have Fun
- 6 days ago
- 8 min read
The Truth About Burnout, Play & Why Adults Forgot How to Have Fun Through the Lens of the Nervous System
Welcome back to another episode of The Truth About Healing Podcast.
What if burnout isn't just about working too much?
What if it's also about forgetting how to play?
In this episode, Dana is joined once again by Claudio for a conversation that begins with a tiny guest, Hammy the hamster, and quickly unfolds into a much deeper discussion about parenting, burnout, nervous system regulation, connection, and why so many adults have forgotten how to have fun.
Together, they explore how modern life keeps us stuck in constant productivity, why children naturally understand the importance of play, and how reconnecting with joy isn't a luxury. It's a biological need.
Whether you're raising children, building a career, running a business, or simply feeling exhausted by the pace of life, this conversation offers a refreshing reminder that healing isn't just about slowing down. It's also about reconnecting with the parts of yourself that feel alive.
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About This Episode
In this episode, Dana and Claudio have an honest, unscripted conversation about what burnout really looks like and why so many adults struggle to make time for play.
They discuss the pressure of modern parenting, why productivity has become a measure of self-worth, and how the nervous system was never designed to stay in "go mode" all day.
The conversation also explores why movement, creativity, and meaningful connection are essential ingredients for emotional well-being, and why healing often begins when we allow ourselves permission to simply enjoy life again.
Episode Highlights
In This Episode
Why burnout is about more than working too much
How the nervous system responds to constant stress
Why adults stop prioritizing play
Parenting in a world that never slows down
The difference between slowing down and having fun
How movement helps regulate the nervous system
Why loneliness increases the risk of burnout
The importance of meaningful connection
How children naturally teach us to play again
Why creativity is essential for emotional health
Learning to balance responsibility with joy
Small ways to reconnect with fun every day
Memorable Quote
"Play isn't a reward. It's part of being human."
Key Takeaway
One of the biggest misconceptions about burnout is that the solution is simply taking time off.
Rest matters.
But true recovery also requires connection, movement, creativity, and moments of genuine joy.
This episode reminds us that our nervous systems aren't designed for constant productivity. They're designed to move between effort, connection, play, and rest.
Sometimes the most healing thing we can do isn't checking another task off the list.
It's allowing ourselves to laugh, explore, create, and simply be present.
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Further Learning & Resources
Discover journals, workbooks, consultation resources, and recommended tools designed to support both personal healing and professional growth.
EMDR Therapy Progress Journal
The EMDR Therapy Progress Journal helps clients track healing progress, identify
patterns, document insights, and stay connected to their therapeutic journey between sessions.
Perfect for:
EMDR clients
Trauma recovery work
Reflection between sessions
Tracking healing milestones
EMDR Coach Treatment Planning Workbook
Designed specifically for EMDR therapists, this workbook helps simplify case
conceptualization, target sequencing, and treatment planning.
Ideal for:
EMDR-trained clinicians
EMDR consultation groups
Organizing complex cases
Strengthening treatment planning skills
Meet Our Host Dana Carretta-Stein, LMHC
Dana Carretta-Stein is an LMHC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, founder of The EMDR Coach, and founder of Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling (PLMHC).
Her work focuses on trauma-informed therapy, nervous system healing, EMDR therapy, attachment patterns, and helping people understand the deeper roots behind emotional and behavioral patterns.
Dana blends neuroscience, trauma-informed education, and direct honesty in a way that helps listeners feel both validated and challenged to think differently about healing.
Her core belief: Symptoms make sense when you understand the nervous system underneath them.
Trauma-Informed Therapy Through PLMHC
Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling provides trauma-informed therapy for children, teens, and adults.
Services include support for:
Overthinking
Burnout
Trauma
Emotional overwhelm
Nervous system dysregulation
PLMHC offers in-person therapy in Scarsdale and virtual therapy throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Colorado and Florida.
If you’ve been searching for trauma-informed therapy in Westchester or EMDR therapy in Scarsdale, support is available.
Full Episode Transcript
The Truth About Burnout, Play & Why Adults Forgot How to Have Fun
Dana:
Welcome back to another episode of The Truth About Healing Podcast.
Today is a little different because we have a special guest joining us.
Well... maybe not so special.
Hammy the hamster has officially entered the podcast studio.
Claudio:
He has no idea he's internet famous now.
Dana:
He really doesn't.
Although I think he's enjoying all the attention.
Watching him run around actually made me think about something.
Kids naturally stop and watch.
They're curious.
They're fascinated.
As adults, we walk right past moments like this because we're already thinking about the next thing on our list.
That's really what today's conversation is about.
When Did We Stop Playing?
Dana:
At what point do we stop playing?
Children don't need permission.
They don't schedule fun.
They don't think,
"I'll enjoy myself after I answer three more emails."
They just play.
Somewhere along the way, we stop doing that.
Claudio:
Because we're taught that productivity equals value.
The older we get, the more we associate being busy with being successful.
Eventually, play starts to feel irresponsible.
If you're having fun, you feel like you're wasting time.
Dana:
Exactly.
And then we wonder why everyone feels burned out.
We've removed one of the very things our nervous systems were designed for.
Burnout Isn't Just About Work
Dana:
When people hear burnout, they immediately think about work.
But burnout isn't only about your job.
You can experience burnout from parenting.
From caregiving.
From constantly managing everyone else's needs.
From carrying emotional responsibilities day after day.
Claudio:
Burnout happens when there's no recovery.
When life becomes all output and no input.
You keep giving.
You keep solving problems.
You keep taking care of everyone else.
Eventually there's nothing left in the tank.
Play Is Not A Reward
Dana:
One of the biggest misconceptions is that play is something we earn.
People say,
"I'll relax after this project."
"I'll have fun after vacation."
"I'll start taking care of myself once things settle down."
But things rarely settle down.
Claudio:
Exactly.
Play isn't the reward.
Play is the fuel.
It's like stopping at a gas station.
Nobody questions whether they should put gas in their car.
Yet we question whether we deserve moments of joy.
That's backwards.
The Nervous System Needs More Than Rest
Dana:
People often think regulation means lying on the couch.
Sometimes it does.
But regulation also looks like movement.
Laughter.
Connection.
Music.
Creativity.
Being outside.
Playing with your kids.
Throwing a football.
Dancing in your kitchen.
Those experiences tell your nervous system,
"I'm safe."
"I'm connected."
"I'm alive."
Claudio:
Movement really is magic.
The body wasn't built to stay in one place all day.
Sometimes the fastest way to feel better is simply getting outside and moving.
What Kids Teach Us
Dana:
One of my favorite things about being around children is that they remind us how simple joy can be.
They're excited about puddles.
They'll spend an hour chasing bubbles.
They're completely present.
Adults are physically present but mentally somewhere else.
We're already thinking about tomorrow.
Or replaying yesterday.
Kids remind us to experience today.
Claudio:
And honestly, they don't care if something looks silly.
Adults spend so much energy worrying about how they appear.
Kids don't.
That's freedom.
Loneliness And Burnout
Dana:
Another thing we don't talk about enough is loneliness.
People can be surrounded by others and still feel completely disconnected.
Connection isn't about proximity.
It's about feeling known.
Feeling safe.
Feeling understood.
Claudio:
I think that's one reason communities matter so much.
Whether it's friends, family, a therapist, or a group of people who genuinely know you.
We weren't designed to do life alone.
Isolation amplifies stress.
Connection helps regulate it.
Healing Doesn't Always Look Serious
Dana:
I think people imagine healing as sitting in therapy every week talking about painful memories.
Sometimes that's part of it.
But healing also looks like laughing.
Trying something new.
Feeling playful again.
Building relationships.
Finding hobbies.
Creating memories.
Healing doesn't always look heavy.
Sometimes it looks surprisingly light.
Claudio:
That's probably one of my favorite parts of healing.
Watching people remember who they are outside of survival mode.
Giving Yourself Permission To Enjoy Life
Dana:
One of the questions I ask clients is,
"What did you used to enjoy before life got so heavy?"
Sometimes they can't answer.
It's been years since they thought about it.
They've become experts at surviving.
But they've forgotten how to live.
Claudio:
And that's why this conversation matters.
Because life isn't only about responsibilities.
It's also about relationships.
Experiences.
Curiosity.
Adventure.
Laughter.
The goal isn't to eliminate responsibility.
It's to remember that joy belongs alongside it.
Closing Thoughts
Dana:
If there's one thing I hope people take away from today's conversation, it's this:
Play isn't childish.
Joy isn't selfish.
Rest isn't laziness.
These experiences are part of being human.
They're part of nervous system health.
They're part of resilience.
And they're part of healing.
Claudio:
Exactly.
Life is already going to hand us enough difficult moments.
If we don't intentionally create moments of connection and fun, we're missing one of the greatest gifts we have.
Dana:
Thank you so much for spending time with us today.
We hope this conversation encourages you to slow down, laugh a little more, and remember that healing isn't only about processing pain.
It's also about making space for joy.
We'll see you next time on The Truth About Healing Podcast.
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FAQ
What does burnout have to do with the nervous system?
Burnout isn't simply physical exhaustion. Chronic stress can keep your nervous system in a prolonged state of activation, making it difficult to rest, recover, or experience joy. Supporting your nervous system through rest, movement, connection, and play can be an important part of recovery.
Why is play important for adults?
Play supports creativity, connection, stress relief, and emotional well-being. It helps regulate the nervous system and reminds us that joy is an important part of a healthy, balanced life.
Can having fun actually improve mental health?
Yes. Activities that bring joy, laughter, movement, and connection can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and strengthen resilience. While they don't replace therapy when needed, they can be valuable parts of overall mental wellness.
How do I know if I'm experiencing burnout?
Common signs of burnout include emotional exhaustion, irritability, feeling detached, difficulty concentrating, reduced motivation, physical fatigue, and feeling like you're constantly running on empty.
What is one small step I can take today?
Start by asking yourself:
"What brought me joy before life became so busy?"
Then give yourself permission to spend even 10 minutes doing something simply because it makes you feel more like yourself.
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