Burnout doesn't have to be your journey.
- Megan Hoyt
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
Our Pink Couch Panel on Recharge & Rise: Working Women and Burnout was a night of vulnerability, authenticity, and empowerment!
In partnership with the Winston-Salem Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., our panelists focused on the critical issues of workplace burnout, work-life balance, and the unique challenges faced by working women. Sharing their own stories of burnout, our panelists offered a window into this isolating experience faced by many working women.
If you are experiencing burnout, it is important to be transparent with your employer and your family.
“We tell our children and friends It’s OK not to be OK, but are you giving yourself permission to be vulnerable with your employer and your family?” asked Alexia Mitchell, a Licensed Clinical Therapist and founder of Reset and Heal, LLC. “We have to be honest with those around us, because how do they know we are struggling? YOU know you are struggling, but if you hold it in, you get nowhere.”
Mitchell was one of three panelists March 20 at “Recharge and Rise: Working Women and Burnout,” part of the REACH Pink Couch discussion series designed to inspire connection and conversation among members. Held at the Delta Arts Center, the event was cohosted with the Winston-Salem chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
When talking to your employer, be prepared to suggest something specific that you need, such as coming in later some days or working half days on Fridays, said Cathleen Allred, Vice President of Human Resources for Amarr Company. “You know what you need, and so you need to ask for it. Because if you ask for it, the worst thing that can happen is they’ll say no, but a lot of times you’ll get it.”
If you are in a position of leadership, it is important to model the self-care behaviors you want to see, she added. “If your organization says it is only going to work half days on Friday, you better only work a half day on Friday. If you don’t, you’re telling your team that it doesn’t really apply to your department, or it only applies to some people.”
All three panelists shared their own experiences juggling careers, children and caring for aging family members. Dr. Amber Brooks, anesthesiologist, pain management physician and Vice Chair for Strategic Initiatives at Wake Forest School of Medicine, recommended two books that have been particularly helpful for her in managing stress: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma, and The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8 a.m.).
In addition to these recommended books, the panelists felt passionate about sharing further resources to support women experiencing and preventing burnout. These materials can be accessed here in this GoogleFolder.
Thank you to our incredible panelists and moderator:
Candice Brown, Esq., GPHR, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Wooten Brown (Moderator), Human Resources Executive
Amber Brooks, MD, MS, Vice Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Associate Professor, Anesthesiology, WFU School of Medicine
Alexia Mitchell, MSW, LCSWA, Owner & Clinical Director, Reset and Heal, PLLC
Cathleen DiGiacomo Allred, VP of Human Resources, Amarr Company
Delta Arts Center hosted the event and Delicious By Shereen provided delicious food to make this event such a success!
Our Pink Couch Panel series are a night of connection and conversation for our members and partner organizations. As one of the many benefits of REACH membership, these discussions are a bellwether to explore important topics impacting working women.