Enthusiasm is A Healing Force: How To Heal Burnout from The Inside Out
A neuroscience-backed guide to feeling alive again—starting with one small spark.
“Burnout doesn’t always look like a breakdown. Sometimes it’s just the absence of enthusiasm.”
Hi, I’m Jessica!
There’s a particular kind of tired that doesn’t show up on bloodwork or lab tests.
It’s the tired of going through the motions.
The heaviness of waking up, not to dread, but to dullness.
Not quite depression. Not quite fine either. Just… flat.
If that resonates with you, you’re not alone.
We live in a world that overvalues performance and undervalues joy.
We reward productivity, but rarely make space for passion, curiosity, or things we’ll do for free.
And over time, we become numb. We lose our spark.
We call it burnout.
But underneath it all, it might just be this: we’ve lost our enthusiasm.
And here’s the good news: enthusiasm is more than a mood; it’s medicine. And like all medicine—it can be learned, revived, and prescribed.
The Hidden Cost of Burnout
Burnout isn’t just emotional fatigue—it’s physiological.
It shows up in your brain and body in real, measurable ways.
When you're burned out:
Cortisol stays elevated, draining your adrenal system.
Your dopamine circuits weaken, reducing motivation and pleasure.
Your prefrontal cortex (which manages focus and decision-making) becomes sluggish.
You struggle to feel connection, reward, pleasure, or creativity.
Burnout tricks your brain into believing the future holds nothing new or exciting.
And that belief shapes your biochemistry—until everything feels heavy.
However, enthusiasm is a powerful antidote and it’s not just for the bubbly or extroverted—it’s for anyone ready to feel alive again.
The Neuroscience of Enthusiasm
Let’s get clear: enthusiasm is not just emotional energy—it’s biological energy.
At its core, enthusiasm is tied to the dopaminergic system in the brain, the same system that governs:
Motivation
Goal-directed behavior
Reward anticipation
When you feel enthusiastic, your dopamine levels rise.
Your brain is signaling: this matters, keep going.
Enthusiasm literally activates your brain’s future orientation—it makes you want to move forward, try new things, seek connection, and pursue goals.
The beautiful part?
You don’t need a perfect life or an ideal situation to feel enthusiastic. You just need a spark and the brain—thanks to its neuroplasticity—can be trained to rekindle that spark.
How To Spark Enthusiasm (Even When You're Tired)
You don’t need to wait until life feels better to feel enthusiastic.
In fact, sometimes you have to act enthusiastic to become enthusiastic.
Here are 5 ways to Reawaken Your Spark, One Ember at a Time:
Your brain loves progress.
Set a tiny goal today—clean out your closet, organize a drawer, stretch for five minutes, or journal for two.
Small wins release dopamine and rebuild momentum.
Seek Novelty
Even small doses of newness:
trying a new coffee or tea.
walking a different path.
listening to an inspiring podcast.
getting a different flavor.
taking the stairs or the scenic route.
wake up dormant circuits in the brain.
New input = new energy.
Move First, Mood Later
Don’t wait to “feel like it.”
Movement rewires the body before the brain catches up.
Walk barefoot on grass.
Do jumping jacks.
Dance for one song.
Do a 20 minute boost recovery yoga flow.
Your nervous system will thank you.
Return to Joy Anchors
What did you love before the world told you to be “realistic”?
Was it painting?
Building things?
Nature walks?
Music?
Exercise and working out?
Revisit those things.
Joy leaves breadcrumbs.
Follow them back to yourself.
Find Enthusiastic Energy Sources
Spend time—online or in real life—with people who radiate passion, who feel alive, who stay curious, and who breed enthusiasm naturally.
Read books that lift you.
Listen to podcasts that meet you where you’re at and keep you moving forward.
Strategically design your environment for inspiration and increased productivity.
Enthusiasm is contagious. Let yourself catch it.
Try This: A 3-Minute Morning Spark Practice
Before you check your phone, before the world floods in—give yourself three minutes.
Breathe deeply for 30 seconds: Inhale through the nose, exhale slowly through the mouth. Feel yourself arrive in the day.
Name one thing you're curious or excited about today: It could be small: a warm cup of coffee, a walk or hike, a fresh start, a song you love, a package coming in the mail.
Move your body for 1 minute: Stretch, shake it out, do a few squats—anything to wake up your nervous system.
This micro-practice signals to your brain: I’m alive. I’m in motion. There’s something to look forward to.
Remember, there’s always a reason to celebrate, or to be super happy or enthusiastic just because!
The fact that you’re alive-being alive-is a beautiful reason to be grateful, celebratory, energetic, passionate and simply enthusiastic about life or whatever task it is you’re doing.
Never let anyone tell you otherwise or ever ruin your spark.
Your enthusiasm creates a ripple effect larger than you can even imagine, which sparks further enthusiasm in others you come across.
Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm.
When you’re enthusiastic, you can’t help but naturally inspire all of those around you!
✍️Enthusiasm Journaling Prompt
“Where in my life do I feel a tiny spark of interest, joy, or curiosity right now—and how can I feed that flame this week?”
Let your answer be imperfect, small, or even surprising.
Enthusiasm doesn’t need a big stage. It just needs your attention.
3 Minute Morning Spark Practice & Journaling Prompt:
🎁Free Download: Enthusiasm Spark Worksheet
To help you turn this reflection into real change, I created a 1-page worksheet you can use to track your morning spark practice and journal your insights:
It includes:
A 7-day tracker to help you build your morning spark habit.
A journaling space for this week’s reflection prompt.
Final Thoughts: You Were Made to Feel Alive
Enthusiasm is not about pretending to be upbeat.
It’s not fake positivity.
It’s a deep yes to life.
It’s a sign that something inside of you is still reaching, still hoping, still willing to try.
And that’s literally and simply enough.
If you’re burned out, don’t chase perfection. Chase sparks.
Even buried embers can glow again—with breath, with rest, with movement, and with care.
“You don’t have to feel enthusiastic to begin.
You begin, and the enthusiasm comes.”
Thank you for reading this article.
Until next Sunday,
—Jessica
Your 2am friend who actually gets it
“The goal is not to heal and then begin your life. The goal is to embrace healing as a life long journey and allow genuine connections to emerge organically along the way.” —Yung Pueblo
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MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
You are welcome!
Sweet write up…. As we come out of winter and into spring, maybe being cooped up in the house more. I can acknowledge these feelings can come and go. Thank you for some thoughtful ways to deal with them!