A leading psychologist has revealed the little-known clues Aussies may be suffering from severe burnout – and it starts in the home.
Classic signs of burnout include feeling fatigued, emotionally drained, withdrawn and unmotivated while physical symptoms present in the form of headaches, a change in appetite, stomach issues, shortness of breath and sleep problems.
Described by professionals as an ‘extreme form of stress’, burnout can wreak havoc on mental health and lead to depression, anxiety, irritability, intrusive thoughts and in the long-term, chronic health issues.
While many believe burnout begins from stress in the workplace, Dr Marny Lishman is reminding Aussies to look seriously at the role their home may be playing.
‘Burnout can be caused by many things and we’re probably most familiar from it stemming from our work,’ she told FEMAIL.
‘However, it can also stem from the very place meant to restore us, our home.
‘As a Health and Community Psychologist, I often see people struggling to identify when their home life is no longer a place of rest and restoration but a silent contributor to burnout.
‘So, what are the signs to watch out for?’
While many believe burnout begins from stress in the workplace, Dr Marny Lishman is reminding Aussies to look seriously at the role their home may be playing
Sign: Finding it hard to make ‘easy’ decisions such as what you are going to eat for dinner
Solution: Reduce your mental load
‘Household chores can quietly pile onto our mental load, leading to stress and even burnout,’ Dr Lishman said.
‘One simple way to ease that pressure is by automating the small daily decisions that eat up brain space – like figuring out what’s for dinner.’
Dr Lishman suggests leaning on handy gadgets/resources like AI appliances or food journals to ‘outsource’ these decisions as 68 per cent of Aussies admit to thinking about chores as often as four times a day.
‘By leaning on smart tech to manage routine tasks, you free up headspace for the things that really matter, whether that’s connecting with family or just enjoying a moment of calm,’ she said after launching new research into Australian home habits from Samsung.
‘Those who know me, know I am a big fan of tools that help reduce the number of micro-decisions that lead to burnout and love the added benefits that smart devices give to save time and energy.’
‘Household chores can quietly pile onto our mental load, leading to stress and even burnout,’ Dr Lishman said
Sign: Your space feels physically cluttered and your ‘organised chaos’ is just pure chaos
Solution: Enhance your home comfort and convenience
‘Your home environment plays a huge role in your mental wellbeing,’ Dr Lishman said.
‘When your space feels chaotic or a long to-do list, it can contribute to stress and burnout. But when your home supports your lifestyle with comfort and ease, it becomes a place to recharge.’
Smart home tech, like automated lighting, or smart connected washing machines can take the pressure off and schedule daily tasks, giving you more time and mental space to enjoy what matters.
Other solutions include calming, dimly lit spaces, house plants, natural fragrances, keeping surfaces bare and following the ‘box’ method of cleaning, which involves breaking the home down into easily manageable sections and chores into days, weeks and months.
Kacie, the founder of The Big Clean Co in Melbourne, always starts in the ‘wet’ areas of the home like the kitchen and bathroom to allow for soaking and always cleans from ‘top to bottom’.
She also cleans in patterns to ensure each area of the home is even.
‘Clean in patterns, whether it’s going clockwise around a room or wiping surfaces in an ‘S’ shape, or sharks teeth vacuum lines,’ she advises.
The viral hanger trick is also widely regarded as the very best way to keep closet clutter under control.
‘Your home environment plays a huge role in your mental wellbeing,’ Dr Lishman said
Sign: You can’t remember the last time you did something for yourself
Solution: Prioritise self-care and relaxation
‘Burnout often creeps in when we stop prioritising ourselves,’ Dr Lishman said.
‘Self-care isn’t selfish – it’s essential for maintaining energy, focus, and emotional balance.
‘The key is to schedule regular breaks and do things that genuinely recharge you, whether that’s watching a show, reading, meditating, or just having a quiet moment alone.’
Dr Lishman says Aussies part of the sandwich generation – those caring for ageing parents while raising children – are likely no stranger to feeling stretched thin.
‘The constant juggle of responsibilities, especially around the home, can take a serious toll on your mental wellbeing,’ she said.
‘One effective way to lighten the mental load is to use smart technology that helps streamline caregiving and household tasks.’
She is a fan of tech for managing this as well, citing Samsung’s Bespoke AI Family Hub fridge as a game-changer for managing family schedules, reminders and connecting with loved ones.
Another way to prioritise self-care is to book in ‘you time’ once a month, well ahead of the date.
Once it’s part of the schedule, it feels more ‘official’ and you are almost 70 per cent more likely to actually do it.
Daily blocks of meditation are also key for balancing the nervous symptom and deep breathing/block breathing for just five minutes, twice a day has been proven to significantly improve stress levels.
Surrounding yourself with colours, textures, and visuals that reflect your personality can create a sense of calm and belonging, turning your home into a true sanctuary
Sign: You feel like a stranger in your own space
Solution: Personalise your space with things you love
‘Your environment has a powerful impact on your mood and mindset,’ Dr Lishman said.
‘Surrounding yourself with colours, textures, and visuals that reflect your personality can create a sense of calm and belonging, turning your home into a true sanctuary.
‘Over half of Australians believe a beautiful aesthetic is key to creating a wonderful home. Whether it’s through artwork, soft furnishings, or curated decor, personalising your space can make it feel more relaxing and uniquely yours.’
Dr Lishman said a quick and easy way to do this is through tech that offers an ‘artwork’ screen when not in use like the Frame Pro Smart TV.
A few clever swaps can also help – from a pop of color to a touch of texture in each room.
‘Add color with throw pillows and table books,’ Elizabeth Bauer, a top interior designer, says.
‘Mix the textures of the pillows and layer coffee table books with one another to add visual interest… pillows are an other easy way to refresh a space.’
She also recommends bringing the ‘outdoors in’.
‘Introduce plants for freshness and air quality,’ Elizabeth said.
‘Adding greenery brings a calming, natural element to the space. Consider low-maintenance plants such as succulents.’
