What if the way you're trying to "rest" is actually making your burnout worse?

In this episode, we follow Sarah, a resident doctor who spent hours every night binge-watching Netflix, thinking she was taking care of herself - only to wake up more exhausted than ever.

We explore the fascinating science behind why passive consumption isn't real rest, how your brain's natural cleaning system only works during quality sleep, and the difference between "junk rest" and restorative activities that actually recharge your batteries.

You'll discover practical strategies to transform your evening routine and learn why fixing your rest foundation strengthens all four pillars of burnout recovery. Plus, get actionable tips for creating a "digital sunset" and choosing activities that truly restore your energy instead of depleting it further.

Resources:
https://drjobraid.com
www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr
www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

What if the way you're trying to "rest" is actually making your burnout worse?
In this episode, we follow Sarah, a resident doctor who spent hours every night binge-watching Netflix, thinking she was taking care of herself - only to wake up more exhausted than ever.
We explore the fascinating science behind why passive consumption isn't real rest, how your brain's natural cleaning system only works during quality sleep, and the difference between "junk rest" and restorative activities that actually recharge your batteries.
You'll discover practical strategies to transform your evening routine and learn why fixing your rest foundation strengthens all four pillars of burnout recovery. Plus, get actionable tips for creating a "digital sunset" and choosing activities that truly restore your energy instead of depleting it further. Resources: <a href="https://drjobraid.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://drjobraid.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1761797787952000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Xdjcy4fjGO19-s82mv1Ol">https://drjobraid.com</a> <a href="http://www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1761797787952000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2CiLP0o2IS3y6iFHGVZQAa">www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr</a> <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1761797787952000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3w29Kikw7-ewon_0p_mOiK">www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid</a>

Welcome to The Burnout Recovery Podcast, where we're creating a global movement to keep healthcare professionals thriving in the careers they love.

I'm Dr Jo Braid, your host and The Burnout Recovery Doctor. Whether you're a med student just starting out, an allied health professional at the point of care, or a seasoned doctor feeling the weight of the system - this podcast is your lifeline back to sustainable practice.

Here's what I know: when one healthcare professional recovers from burnout and builds a sustainable career, the ripple effect reaches patients, families, colleagues, and communities around the world. That's the power of change where it matters most.

In each episode, you'll discover evidence-based strategies and real-world tools to not just survive healthcare, but to thrive in it. Because the world needs you healthy, energized, and passionate about the work that called you here in the first place.

This isn't just about individual recovery - it's about transforming healthcare from the inside out, one professional at a time.

Ready to be part of the solution? Let's dive in.

Welcome to The Burnout Recovery Podcast, where we're creating a global movement to keep healthcare professionals thriving in the careers they love.
I'm Dr Jo Braid, your host and The Burnout Recovery Doctor. Whether you're a med student just starting out, an allied health professional at the point of care, or a seasoned doctor feeling the weight of the system - this podcast is your lifeline back to sustainable practice.
Here's what I know: when one healthcare professional recovers from burnout and builds a sustainable career, the ripple effect reaches patients, families, colleagues, and communities around the world. That's the power of change where it matters most.
In each episode, you'll discover evidence-based strategies and real-world tools to not just survive healthcare, but to thrive in it. Because the world needs you healthy, energized, and passionate about the work that called you here in the first place.
This isn't just about individual recovery - it's about transforming healthcare from the inside out, one professional at a time.
Ready to be part of the solution? Let's dive in.

The Burnout Recovery Podcast

Non-Productive Rest: Why Netflix Isn't Recharging You

What if the key to transforming your workplace culture isn't fixing what's broken, but amplifying what's already working?

In this episode, Dr. Jo Braid shares insights from her Stanford WellMD Director of Wellbeing Course and explores how Appreciative Inquiry can shift team dynamics from problem-focused to possibility-focused conversations. Drawing from real examples and research-backed strategies, you'll discover practical tools to start meetings differently, build stronger colleague relationships, and create positive change in your healthcare environment.

Learn the simple 3-Question Appreciative Check-in framework and discover how changing your first question can transform your work experience.

Join Dr. Braid as she shows you how focusing on strengths isn't just feel-good fluff—it's a powerful approach to reducing burnout and increasing engagement in healthcare teams.

Join the free Healthcare Leadership Hub: https://bit.ly/3LAIDqq 

Resources:
https://drjobraid.com
www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr
www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

Thank you to our sponsors:
MIGA: https://miga.com.au & Heidi Health: https://heidihealth.com

What if the key to transforming your workplace culture isn't fixing what's broken, but amplifying what's already working?
In this episode, Dr. Jo Braid shares insights from her Stanford WellMD Director of Wellbeing Course and explores how Appreciative Inquiry can shift team dynamics from problem-focused to possibility-focused conversations. Drawing from real examples and research-backed strategies, you'll discover practical tools to start meetings differently, build stronger colleague relationships, and create positive change in your healthcare environment.
Learn the simple 3-Question Appreciative Check-in framework and discover how changing your first question can transform your work experience.
Join Dr. Braid as she shows you how focusing on strengths isn't just feel-good fluff&mdash;it's a powerful approach to reducing burnout and increasing engagement in healthcare teams.
Join the free Healthcare Leadership Hub: <a href="https://bit.ly/3LAIDqq">https://bit.ly/3LAIDqq</a>&nbsp;
Resources: https://drjobraid.com www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid
Thank you to our sponsors: MIGA:&nbsp;<a href="https://miga.com.au/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://miga.com.au/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1768349583261000&amp;usg=AOvVaw36EJFvIDRqqkk0JjtC8kKz">https://miga.com.au</a> &amp; Heidi Health:&nbsp;<a href="https://heidihealth.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://heidihealth.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1768349583250000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1GJ6Bddrjwk7BwoZl0J8fR">https://heidihealth.com</a>

The Power of Appreciative Inquiry: Focus on What's Working

Feeling flat and unmotivated after what should have been a restorative break? You're not alone. In this episode, Dr. Jo explores the science behind post-holiday blues, including the role of dopamine crashes and why healthcare workers are particularly susceptible to this phenomenon. She shares practical, evidence-based strategies for gradual re-entry, maintaining holiday elements in daily routine, and resetting your dopamine baseline. Learn why these feelings are a normal neurobiological response and discover actionable steps to extend the benefits of your time off while being compassionate with yourself during the transition back to work.

Resources:
https://drjobraid.com
www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr
www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

Thank you to our sponsors:
MIGA: https://miga.com.au & Heidi Health: https://heidihealth.com

Feeling flat and unmotivated after what should have been a restorative break? You're not alone. In this episode, Dr. Jo explores the science behind post-holiday blues, including the role of dopamine crashes and why healthcare workers are particularly susceptible to this phenomenon. She shares practical, evidence-based strategies for gradual re-entry, maintaining holiday elements in daily routine, and resetting your dopamine baseline. Learn why these feelings are a normal neurobiological response and discover actionable steps to extend the benefits of your time off while being compassionate with yourself during the transition back to work.
Resources: https://drjobraid.com www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid
Thank you to our sponsors: MIGA:&nbsp;<a href="https://miga.com.au/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://miga.com.au/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1768349583261000&amp;usg=AOvVaw36EJFvIDRqqkk0JjtC8kKz">https://miga.com.au</a> &amp; Heidi Health:&nbsp;<a href="https://heidihealth.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://heidihealth.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1768349583250000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1GJ6Bddrjwk7BwoZl0J8fR">https://heidihealth.com</a>

Post-Holiday Burnout: Understanding Dopamine Crashes and Recovery

In this episode, Dr. Jo shares a personal story about stepping into a locum position where she inherited a "difficult" patient situation involving family complaints and communication challenges. Rather than approaching the interaction defensively, she chose curiosity over preconception and discovered that the family wasn't difficult—they were scared and feeling unheard. Through this experience, she learned that healthcare resilience isn't about developing thicker skin, but about maintaining openness and choosing connection even in challenging situations. The episode explores how reframing complaints as information about unmet needs can transform patient relationships and offers practical tools including the "Fresh Eyes" approach, curious questioning techniques, and complaint reframing strategies.

Thank you to our sponsor
MIGA: https://miga.com.au 

Resources:
https://drjobraid.com
www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr
www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

I acknowledge that I create this podcast on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people, who have been the custodians of this land around Orange, New South Wales, for thousands of generations. I pay my respects to Wiradjuri Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognize the continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. This acknowledgment is a small but important step in recognizing the sovereignty of First Nations peoples and the deep historical and ongoing relationship with Country.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on or through our Site, products and/or services is intended to be for informational purposes only. It does not constitute or replace professional advice for individual or specific situations and nor does it take into account your specific needs or circumstances. Under no circumstances should the content made available on our Site, or regarding our products and/or services be relied upon as professional legal, medical, financial, business or other advice. You agree to obtain these services if you need these. Our Site may have articles and content that is of a general nature and is intended to be for informational purposes only. Your access to and use of they Site is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

In this episode, Dr. Jo shares a personal story about stepping into a locum position where she inherited a "difficult" patient situation involving family complaints and communication challenges. Rather than approaching the interaction defensively, she chose curiosity over preconception and discovered that the family wasn't difficult&mdash;they were scared and feeling unheard. Through this experience, she learned that healthcare resilience isn't about developing thicker skin, but about maintaining openness and choosing connection even in challenging situations. The episode explores how reframing complaints as information about unmet needs can transform patient relationships and offers practical tools including the "Fresh Eyes" approach, curious questioning techniques, and complaint reframing strategies.
Thank you to our sponsor MIGA:&nbsp;<a href="https://miga.com.au/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://miga.com.au&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767761509276000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3ZFkgk1FKrlvy25lt17lb7">https://miga.com.au</a>&nbsp; Resources: <a href="https://drjobraid.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://drjobraid.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1765840149689000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1hh8Cq9IxdsgETRx-c1WTk">https://drjobraid.com</a> <a href="http://www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1765840149689000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1UukbQSiei9EkduKvpUzr4">www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr</a> <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1765840149689000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1QXr2shSOlZF-Axwj-qX2X">www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid</a>
I&nbsp;acknowledge that I create this podcast on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people, who have been the custodians of this land around Orange, New South Wales, for thousands of generations. I pay my respects to Wiradjuri Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognize the continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. This acknowledgment is a small but important step in recognizing the sovereignty of First Nations peoples and the deep historical and ongoing relationship with Country.
Disclaimer:
The information provided on or through our Site, products and/or services is intended to be for informational purposes only. It does not constitute or replace professional advice for individual or specific situations and nor does it take into account your specific needs or circumstances. Under no circumstances should the content made available on our Site, or regarding our products and/or services be relied upon as professional legal, medical, financial, business or other advice. You agree to obtain these services if you need these. Our Site may have articles and content that is of a general nature and is intended to be for informational purposes only. Your access to and use of they Site is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Non-Productive Rest: Why Netflix Isn't Recharging You

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