#sarahshares - Here’s Why Your Anxiety is at a 11/10 Lately

Summer has a way of turning up the volume on everything, including your anxiety. And if you’re already feeling stretched thin, that shift can feel like a lot.

In this #sarahshares episode, Sarah Vosen talks through why things like racing thoughts, trouble sleeping, and that wired-but-tired feeling often ramp up this time of year. She shares a story from one of the UNFRIED program graduates who was doing well, until suddenly, she wasn’t. No major life changes, no clear trigger. Just a growing sense of unease she couldn’t quite explain.

So what gives? Sarah breaks down the role of seasonal energy shifts, especially the intensity that comes with the summer solstice. She explains how an overload of yang energy can stir up anxiety in people already running on empty, and why yin (your body’s natural anchor) is so important for balance. Do you feel hot in your chest but cold in your feet? Do you wake up tired even after a full night’s sleep? Are your thoughts racing before bed no matter how calm your day was?

Sarah offers ways to cool down, both physically and emotionally. From hydration tips and grounding foods to self-massage and stress release techniques, everything she shares is rooted in helping you reconnect with your body and find some steadiness. There’s also a gentle invitation to ask your heart what it’s still carrying, and to actually listen. If summer feels a little too loud right now, this episode might give you exactly what you need.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Welcome to FRIED. The Burnout Podcast

00:53 How Seasonal Shifts Impact Anxiety

02:08 Understanding Yang Energy During Summer

03:33 The Link Between Yin Deficiency and Burnout

06:00 How to Cool and Anchor an Overheated System

08:12 Foods and Practices That Support Cooling and Grounding

09:57 How to Calm Your Spirit and Process Emotional Overload

12:30 Regaining Control When Anxiety Feels Overwhelming

14:49 When to Seek Additional Support

Links

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/g0jnpnf74i9en1q6vdlkw/Fire-balancing-water-meditation-at-Malibu-Surfrider-Beach.m4a?rlkey=0dllk328n1h87am177m4p55zh&st=7yyy29rd&dl=0

Dive Deeper:

Burnout isn’t a personal failure or a lack of resilience. It’s a signal that something in the system, expectations, roles, pace, or support, is out of alignment. Conversations like this one help surface the human experience of burnout, while the broader work continues to explore how organizations can respond more intelligently and sustainably.

To explore burnout, leadership, and sustainable performance through a workplace and organizational lens, connect with Cait Donovan: https://bit.ly/bookcait

Learn more about Cait’s speaking work: 

https://www.caitdonovan.com/speaking

Short on time? Watch this 3-minute overview: 

https://bit.ly/caitdreel2025

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm