Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She has nearly seven years of experience reviewing products, covering trends, and creating inspiring content around all things home.

We all know that fall starts as soon as fresh school supplies and aggressively scented cinnamon brooms line grocery store aisles. It is a transition loved by many (fall is literally America’s favorite season)—but TBH, I can’t relate. While I’ll never turn down an opportunity to cozy up and watch re-runs of Gilmore Girls, this time of the year just doesn’t do it for me. Truth be told, I often find myself unmotivated to work hard and reach my goals during this time of year, and I generally just feel “meh” most of the time. If you’re like me and also find the transition from summer to fall a nightmare, especially for your work life, there’s a strong chance you’re no stranger to “autumn burnout.”

What is “autumn burnout,” and what causes it?

The term “autumn burnout” refers to feeling completely mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted during the transition from summer to fall. While this can stem from things such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), it’s often a direct result of the increased pressures and demands that go against our biological body clock.

Where summer is all about relaxation and long days outside filled with vitamin D, fall is all about cooler weather, shorter days, and more time spent indoors. Not only can this lack of physical activity and sunlight seriously affect our energy levels, but it can also leave us feeling unmotivated to work hard and reach our goals. Plus, transition anxiety is very real, and a change in season and climate can be triggering for those who have a hard time dealing with change. *raises hand*

Signs you’re suffering from autumn burnout

While everyone is different, there are some telltale signs that mean you’re suffering from autumn burnout. So, use these universal red flags to spot when you’re approaching or suffering from burnout this fall:

1. You feel unmotivated and exhausted

If you’re dreading what’s on your calendar, are struggling to complete tasks, and feel overwhelmed by literally everything, you’re likely suffering from autumn burnout. This is especially true if these feelings are ongoing. Unlike normal fatigue, exhaustion burnout can’t be cured by a good night’s sleep, and taking a work break won’t restore your motivation or ambition.

2. You’re experiencing sleep issues

It’s no secret that getting the right amount of beauty rest each night is imperative for your health, but you’re more likely to experience sleep issues when you’re burnt out. This is because stress releases adrenaline and cortisol, and these two hormones trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response and in turn make you more alert. If you’re feeling particularly stressed during the day and are having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, it’s likely a result of burnout.

“If you’re dreading what’s on your calendar, are struggling to complete tasks, and feel overwhelmed by literally everything, you’re likely suffering from autumn burnout.”

3. You’re apathetic about your job

They say if you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life, but I beg to differ. While I love my job and wouldn’t change it for a thing, there are still days when work feels like work. So if you’re passionate about your career but find yourself growing indifferent towards or frustrated with it, you’re likely burnt out. Likewise, experiencing decreased productivity and overall work performance are also major signs of autumn burnout.

4. You’re cynical and irritable

Cynicism and irritability are two major red flags that you’re approaching burnout or are already there. After all, burnout makes you more susceptible to lower mood levels because it depletes your mental, emotional, and physical resources. If you’re more pessimistic than usual, there’s a strong chance you’re experiencing autumn burnout.

How to treat autumn burnout

1. Prioritize a healthy work-life balance

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is truly key to treating burnout as the seasons change. This means setting boundaries between your work and personal life—not answering emails after a certain time, clocking in and out at a reasonable hour, making your weekends all about you and forgetting about work, and so on. Additionally, give yourself time to recharge every single day. Let yourself indulge in a morning workout or a nice breakfast and unwind with some reading or journaling in the evening after work. Setting aside time for yourself will allow you to decompress, de-stress, and release whatever’s bothering you.

2. Focus on your health

Health is wealth, and you naturally feel more motivated and perform better at work when you feel good inside and out. So, treat burnout by prioritizing getting enough sleep every night, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, and eating well. You’ll feel strong and well-equipped to handle whatever comes your way and able to prevent burnout easily because you’ll feel good. Plus, taking care of yourself will make you feel proud and accomplished. 

3. Plan ahead

Planning ahead is one of the easiest ways to ease anxiety and stay grounded and calm during times of stress and pressure. Set aside time before the start of each week (on Friday or Sunday) and plan out your schedule; your schedule should include work priorities and tasks, chores, and other necessary appointments or errands you have to get done. By taking the time to do this, you’ll remove one extra step for yourself in the morning—you won’t have to wake up and plan out your day. In turn, this will make your days seamless, and your productivity will soar.

4. Stay connected

Isolation is one of the worst things for your mental health, and becoming disconnected is easier than ever thanks to remote jobs and busy schedules. For this reason, make an active effort to stay connected to the important people in your life on a regular basis. Regardless of whether you text or meet in person, talking to others will remind you that you’re not alone and will help you get out or stay out of a funk.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arianna Reardon, Contributing Writer

Arianna is a Rhode Island native, professional blogger, and freelance writer. She’s passionate about helping women develop healthy relationships with money, become financially independent, and invest in themselves for the future. Arianna is a firm believer in going after what you want, taking time to stop and smell the roses, and the importance of a good cocktail.

A couple of years ago, I decided to treat myself to an Always Pan during an Amazon Prime Day sale (ahem, much like the one going on today). I had seen it popping up on Instagram in the kitchens of influencers I follow, and I won’t lie: I was initially drawn to it because of how gorgeous it is. Once I looked into it a bit more, I was sold by its promise to replace 10 pieces of cookware. I lived in a studio apartment with a tiny kitchen at the time, and that sounded like an amazing space-saving solution to me.

Now, after using it for more than a year, I can say it is hands-down my favorite piece of kitchenware—and right now, it’s almost $50 off for Amazon Prime Day. I’ve sung its praises to my family, friends, and coworkers alike. I think it’s important to note that I am not someone who splurges often. I like to consider myself a budget queen, always looking for dupes and deals. But this one purchase I can justify splurging on (especially during a sale), purely because of how often I use it.

Our Place

Upgrade your cooking routine to a new level with the Always Pan. Designed to replace clunky pots and pans with one cook-all design, the Always Pan is shallow enough to fry an egg and deep enough to boil pasta. Plus, with six aesthetic shades to choose from, it doubles as countertop decor.

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Sale price: $104 After Sale: $150

What is the Always Pan?

The Always Pan is a bestselling piece of cookware from the Los Angeles-based and woman-owned brand Our Place. Shiza Shahid, who also co-founded the Malala Fund, started Our Place with the mission to simplify cookware and bring connection back to the kitchen. The brand invests in ethical labor and responsible materials, so you can feel good about your purchase. They also partner with different charities and celebrities, like Selena Gomez and the Rare Impact Fund. Our Place also has other products, like the Perfect Pot and more kitchen essentials. 

The Always Pan is made with a nonstick ceramic coating that’s free of any potentially toxic chemicals, which makes both cooking and cleaning easy. It comes with a wooden spatula, a stainless-steel steamer basket, and a lid. The pan is ideally sized so you can braise, sear, steam, strain, sauté, fry, and boil, all with the same piece of cookware. It’s truly the ideal option if you love the convenience of one-pan or one-pot meals.

Our Place

Upgrade your cooking routine to a new level with the Always Pan. Designed to replace clunky pots and pans with one cook-all design, the Always Pan is shallow enough to fry an egg and deep enough to boil pasta. Plus, with six aesthetic shades to choose from, it doubles as countertop decor.

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Sale price: $104 After Sale: $150

 

Why I love the Always Pan

It looks beautiful in my kitchen

As I mentioned above, I was immediately drawn to the style and design of the Always Pan. I’m someone who loves to make my home as aesthetically pleasing as possible, so I really appreciate how this fits right into my home decor. I leave it out on my stove 24/7, and I truly think it adds a little something special to my kitchen.

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I have the color Spice, which is a warm, dusty pink, but you can now choose from more than 10 stunning colors. Are neutrals more your thing? Try Steam, an oatmeal hue, or Char, a deep charcoal color. Or if you’re loving the green kitchen trend, Sage is perfect for you. Prior to this pan, I always had ugly cookware that was hidden away in a cabinet, so I really love the added value of wanting to show it off. 

 

It makes my kitchen less cluttered

The Always Pan combines 10 pieces of cookware into one, replacing your fry pan, sauté pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, nonstick pan, and spatula. And although my kitchen is now slightly bigger than that studio I mentioned, space-saving solutions are always a good idea when you live in a city. 

After I purchased the Always Pan, I got rid of most of my other cookware because I hardly ever used it. This pan is extra convenient because I just leave it out on my stovetop—meaning I don’t actually have to store any pots or pans at all. 

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It’s easy to use and easy to clean

I have heard some criticism about the nonstick coating not being so nonstick or the pan not being durable, but I truly disagree. I have used my Always Pan at least four times per week for over a year and a half, and it looks and functions just as it did when I first got it. You do have to follow the care instructions provided by Our Place, which are super simple: cook with low to medium heat, lightly coat the pan with an oil before cooking (like EVOO, avocado oil, or ghee), only use wooden or silicone utensils with it, and hand-wash it with the sponge they provide after each use. 

I was a bit apprehensive about the hand-washing aspect, but it really could not be easier. The nonstick coating means that everything washes right off. No matter what I cook in the pan, it takes about one minute to clean it. I have made cheesy one-pan pasta dishes, caramelized onions, sautéed vegetables, and more eggs than you can imagine in this pan—and I’ve never once had an issue with sticking. 

If you’re looking to invest in an Always Pan yourself, you’ll be glad to know that it’s on sale right now for Amazon Prime Day. Trust me—you’re about to cook some restaurant-tier meals with this thing.

Our Place

Upgrade your cooking routine to a new level with the Always Pan. Designed to replace clunky pots and pans with one cook-all design, the Always Pan is shallow enough to fry an egg and deep enough to boil pasta. Plus, with six aesthetic shades to choose from, it doubles as countertop decor.

Advertisement

Sale price: $104 After Sale: $150

MEET THE AUTHOR

Jessica Welsh, Commerce Editor

As Commerce Editor, Jessica oversees and edits all shopping content. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, gift guides, and more. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, Vionic Shoes, and Kohl’s.