Grateful Much? Why Gratitude Is Hard in Burnout—and Why It Still Matters
Dec 19, 2025
Gratitude gets a bad reputation in healthcare—and honestly, it’s earned it.
When you’re exhausted, underpaid, under-supported, and carrying responsibility that never seems to end, being told to “just be grateful” can feel insulting. Or at best, irrelevant.
But here’s the nuance we don’t talk about enough:
Gratitude isn’t the problem. Forced gratitude is.
Why Gratitude Feels Impossible During Burnout
Burnout changes how your brain works. It narrows your bandwidth, increases threat perception, and keeps your nervous system on high alert. In that state, even genuine appreciation can bounce right off.
You might have experienced this:
- A patient thanks you—and you feel irritated instead of touched
- Someone tells you you’re doing great—and it lands flat
- You know you should feel grateful, but you don’t
That’s not a character flaw. It’s physiology.
What the Science Actually Says
Research shows that genuine gratitude practices are associated with:
- Lower depression and anxiety
- Improved emotional regulation
- Better sleep
- Reduced stress physiology
- Improved cardiovascular outcomes
- And possibly even increased longevity
You can explore the research here:
- https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/ijda/international-journal-of-depression-and-anxiety-ijda-4-024.php?jid=ijda
- https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/health-benefits-gratitude
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2820770
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gratitude-enhances-health-brings-happiness-and-may-even-lengthen-lives-202409113071
But none of this works if gratitude becomes another task you’re failing at.
A Better Way to Think About Gratitude
Gratitude isn’t about ignoring what’s wrong.
It’s about helping your nervous system experience moments of safety and goodness—even while things are imperfect.
That might look like:
- Noticing a warm cup of coffee
- Taking a breath before entering the exam room
- Smiling as you greet a patient
- Acknowledging yourself for getting through the day
Small. Honest. Human.
If You’re Too Burned Out for Gratitude
That’s a sign—not to push harder—but to get support.
Coaching, therapy, rest, boundaries, and systemic change all matter. Gratitude works best when layered with those things—not used as a substitute for them.
If you’re a woman physician who wants support reclaiming your health, energy, and sense of self without pretending the system is fine, I’d love to help.
🎧 Listen to Episode 207: “Grateful Much?”
📩 Join my email list for weekly support
📅 Or schedule a coaching discovery call:
https://calendly.com/healthierforgood/coaching-discovery-call
You don’t need to be more grateful.
You deserve to be more supported.
Hi There!
I'm Megan. I'm a Physician and a Life Coach and a Mom. I created this blog to help other Physicians and Physician-Moms learn more about why they feel exhausted, burned-out and overwhelmed, and how to start to make changes. I hope that you enjoy what you read, and that it helps you along your journey. And hey, if you want to talk about coaching with me, I'm here for that too! I offer a free 1:1 call to see if we are a good fit. Click the button below to register today.
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