April 27, 2025 • 18 mins
Feeling exhausted, unmotivated, or just... over it? We dive into the difference between stress and burnout, the subtle signs you might be missing, and how to reset before you hit the wall.
Plus, why you keep rewatching the same comfort shows and movies. It turns out there’s real science behind your favourite feel-good binges—and it’s actually good for your brain.
And in news headlines today Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Guiffre has died aged 41, her family saying she was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse; Undecided voters have handed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese the win in the third and final leaders debate; Thousands are filing past the tomb of pope Francis just a day after the world farewelled the pontiff; RuPaul's Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente has died after having to have her right leg amputated due to a severe infection.
Mamamia’s new podcast Well is diving into burnout—how to spot it, manage it, and stop it from coming back. Spoiler: quitting your job isn’t a magic fix. Listen to Well for expert advice that actually helps.
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Hosts: Grace Rouvray & Claire Murphy
Guests: Cass Green & Tara Watson
Executive Producer: Taylah Strano
Audio Producer: Lu Hill
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
You're listening to a MoMA Mia podcast. Mamma Mia acknowledges
the traditional owners of land and waters that this podcast
is recorded on.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Hi. I'm Grace Rubrey. This is Muma Maa's twice daily
news podcast, The Quickie. Burnout. It's a word we hear
all the time, and as the year marches on, many
people are already feeling the mental and physical toll of
doing too much too fast. So how do you know
if you're actually burnt out or just stressed out or both.
We'll walk you through the subtle and not so subtle
(00:43):
signs to watch out for. Plus, ever wondered why you
keep rewatching the same comfort shows and movies over and
over again, a new study has uncovered the science behind
our need to hit replay. But before we get there,
here's Clare Murphy with the latest from the Quickie Newsroom
from Monday, April twenty eight.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Thanks Grace. Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giffrey
passed away this weekend, with her family confirming her death
from suicide. Miss Geffrey had been at the center of
allegations against Jeffrey Epstein, Gallaine Maxwell, and Prince Andrew involving
sex trafficking. Geffrey claimed that the Prince sexually assaulted her
at Epstein's home in New York in two thousand and one,
(01:21):
and again at an orgy organized by Epstein on his
private island in the Caribbean. She was only seventeen at
the time. The claims emerged in court documents in twenty fifteen,
Buckingham Pallace denying the accusations. Epstein was arrested and was
awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges in twenty nineteen when
he was found dead in his prison cell. That same year,
(01:42):
Prince Andrew sat down for an interview with the BBC
where he attempted to downplay his relationship with Epstein and
his connection to Geffrey, despite a photo of the Prince
standing with his arm around the then seventeen year old,
Andrew said he had no recollection of ever having met
her and that it just never happened. After that interview,
Andrew announced he was stepping back from royal duties, releasing
(02:03):
a statement saying it had become clear that his former
association with Epstein had become a major disruption to his
family's life, work Giffrey launched a civil lawsuit against Prince
Andrew in twenty twenty one, accusing him of sexually assaulting
her when she was underage. Andrew attempted to have the
case thrown out, but it was rejected. He agreed to
settle in twenty twenty two for an undisclosed amount of money.
(02:25):
That same year, Epstein's former girlfriend, Gilline Maxwell, was sentenced
to twenty years behind bars for her role in luring
young girls into Epstein's sphere of influence. Last month, and
now forty one year old Virginia Giffrey, who was living
in Western Australia, posted a disturbing photo from her hospital bed,
claiming she was involved in a car accident where she
was hit by a school bus driver doing one hundred
(02:47):
and ten kilometers an hour. The Bruce Giffray also wrote
that she'd gone into kidney renal failure and had only
been given days to live. She said she was ready
to go and just wanted to see her babies one
last time. Despite the claim of only having days to live,
she was released from hospital a week later. Her family
released a statement on the weekend saying that she'd died
by suicide. On Thursday, April twenty four saying Virginia was
(03:10):
a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and
sex trafficking, that she was the light that lifted so
many survivors. Despite all the adversity she'd faced in life,
she shone so bright she'll be missed beyond measure. The
light of her life for her children, Christian, Noah and Emily.
If you're struggling and need someone to speak to, please
reach out to the team at Lifeline. They're standing by
(03:32):
to help. On thirteen eleven fourteen, a panel of sixty
undecided voters handed the third and final Leader's Debate when
to Prime Minister Anthony Alberanizi overnight as Australians prepared to
cast their votes this coming weekend. Alberzi and Opposition leader
Peter Dutton discussed energy, tax and health policies, as well
as Australia's relationship with China, Mister Alberzi saying his government
(03:54):
acknowledges China's efforts to grow its influence in the region,
but noted out closely intertwined training relationship, saying we have
to invest in our defense capability while also investing in
our relationship mister Dutton's approach to China was in line
with his promos to increase defense spending by twenty one
billion dollars, saying the biggest concern for Australia's defense and
(04:15):
intelligence was the Communist Party of China. After far right
activists heckled the Welcome to country on Anzac Day last week,
both leaders were asked about their stance on the practice.
Mister Dutton, who's also promised to remove the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait island of flags from press conferences if he
becomes leader, said there's a sense in the community that
it's overdone and that having it at every meeting or
(04:37):
football game cheapened its significance. Mister Albinizi said it was
a matter of respect, but said that a voice to
Parliament was now gone from his agenda. Thousands of people
have filed past the tomb of Pope Francis a day
after the world said their final farewell to the Pontiff.
A single white rose has been placed on the tomb
in Saint Mary Major, Basilica that has the Pope's name
(04:57):
written on it in Latin, a single light illuminating the
white stone. Many of those who visited either cross themselves
or took a photo thanking him for his work. The
tomb was opened on the second day of the nine
days of official Morning, after which the conclave will be
held to elect the next Pope. No date has been
set for this as yet, but it must start by
May tenth. RuPaul's Drag Race star Jigglie Caliente has died
(05:21):
after she had her leg amputated due to a severe infection.
Her family released a statement saying it is with profound
sorrow that we announced the passing of Bianca Castro Arabeo,
known to the world and cherished by many as Jiglie Caliente,
saying her legacy is one of love, courage and light. Calliente,
who start on season four of RuPaul's Drag Race in
(05:42):
twenty eleven, was appearing as a judge on the show's
Philippines series, but had to pull out due to health
issues that led to her right leg being amputated.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Thanks Claire. Next, It's only the end of April and
you might be feeling a bit tired or even burnt out.
We'll tell you what to look out for. You've probably
heard the word burnout thrown around a lot, maybe you've
even used it yourself. But beyond the buzzword, burnout is real.
(06:14):
It's that bone deep exhaustion that doesn't go away after
a good night's sleep. It's the feeling of being overwhelmed
and under resourced, like you're running on empty and there's
no stop inside. As we settle into twenty twenty five,
many people are already feeling it. Emotionally drained, mentally foggy,
physically tired. Burnout can creep in quietly, disguising itself as
(06:37):
it's just a busy week or it's just a rough patch,
until suddenly you're struggling to get through the day. So
what are the signs to look out for, what's causing it,
and more importantly, how can we stop normalizing it and
start dealing with it. Mumma Maya's Morning editor cass Green
interviewed countless women on their experiences of burnout for her
article your Body Knows You have Burnout. Cassie, You've done
(07:00):
quite a lot of research on stress and burnout, and
in your research you came across the Liptimber study. Can
you tell us what that found?
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Yeah, So it found that burnout was the leading reason
for more than half of working women to experience a
decline in their mental health. That was followed by the
mental load and the juggle of work life and family balance.
So really what the study found is that Australia's women
are really overloaded and quite undersupported.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
What we need to unpack is that burnout and stress
are different things, because stress can often just be situational
and people can often not want to do anything about it.
But can you talk us through what the symptoms of
burnout are and what we should be looking out for.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
Absolutely, So one of the key ones is a kind
of physical exhaustion, so fatigue, headaches, gut problems, frequent illness
as well if you have a bit of a reduced
immune system. So from the experts that I spoke to,
there's quite a lot of that going on. And it
can also be a bit of a tight chest, a
kind of anxiety feeling, and that can manifest when you're
(08:01):
feeling a little bit burnt out. Then you have the
kind of emotional detachments, so cynicism, a loss of motivation, irritability,
and feeling overwhelmed. So the experts largely said that you
kind of no longer find the joy in the every
day that you used to and that can kind of
lead to anxiety and depression. So over time it can
(08:21):
become a little bit more chronic and you can become
more likely to fall into those conditions. They also noted
behavioral changes, so you're not seeing your friends as much,
you might be a little bit more withdrawn at work,
You're procrastinating or having trouble sleeping and getting up in
the morning, So there really is a lot. It can
be quite wide ranging.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Through your research, you actually spoke to quite a few
women who did suffer from burnout before we go into
what their symptoms were. Is burnout something that has to
be diagnosed.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
It's not an official psychological term in a textbook, but
if you're feeling burnt out, you can absolutely reach out
to an expert and they can help you manage it.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
So, what were some of the common reasons for burnout
in the women that you spoke to for your article?
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Yeah, so I spoke to a lot and it's clear
that it's very common. One of my interviews is with
a loving mother who was convinced she was having a
heart attack, only to be told it was a panic
attack and that I think is something that we can
really relate to when we feel stressed and we feel
that tightness in our chest. So there was a common
thread amongst them. A lot of them were mothers. They
simply had too much on their plate, issues with family,
(09:24):
chronic health issues, the mental load of running a house,
being a mother, being a valued employee, it's a lot.
When it all becomes too much, we can't feel our
cup up anymore. So the common sentiment was that burnout
was kind of stealing their joy from their lives, kept
them feeling flat, and that it was really hard to
keep their heads above water when they were feeling this way.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Do you know how long someone can be in burnout for?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
There's no real timeline for burnout. It kind of depends
on how you're feeling and how long the trigger is going.
So if it's say a job, or if it's a
situation you're in, it can be quite chronic and it
can go on for a while, and that's kind of
when you should really start to reach up for support.
If it's not a kind of situation or a pressure
that's going to be alleviated quickly.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
That's a really good point to go looking at your life,
what is to change? And if nothing of those elements
are going to change, then it's time to get help.
What are some things that people can do if they
do need help or they might be feeling like they're
burnt out?
Speaker 3 (10:19):
Yeah, so they can reach out to a registered psychologists
clinical psychologist. And if you find yourself needing to talk
to someone after listening to this, you can also call
Lifeline on one three one, one, one.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Four more.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
No one, Oh lad, world, don't be this way?
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Does that sound familiar or maybe it even sparked a
little sense of calm, that familiar intro, that comforting noise,
the certainty of knowing exactly what you're about to watch,
No surprises, no stress, just the reassurance of the already known.
When there's so much new content constantly dropping, why do
(11:07):
we keep going back to the same shows, movie, these,
books or songs. According to scientists, there's real science behind
the pool of comfort TV. Rewatching something familiar helps calm
the nervous system, giving the brain a much needed break.
It's called the mere exposure effect. The more familiar something is,
(11:27):
like a storyline, a character, a theme song, the more
our brain enjoys it. That's because it feels safe and predictable,
which satisfies a primal need for security, and since we
already know what's going to happen, our brains can switch
off into autopilot, reducing the mental load and helping us
feel calm and restored. Nostalgia also plays a huge role.
(11:50):
When current sensory input like what we're watching, aligns with
positive memories from the past, it triggers dopamine, the brain's
reward chemical, giving us a mood boost. It's like reloading
old happy experiences and hitting play. When we watch our
favorite characters on TV build fake TV relationships. It also
releases oxytocin, the bonding hormone, making us feel more connected
(12:14):
even if we are watching it alone. At the same time,
our brain's reward system lights up, delivering that hit of
joy we crave at the end of a long day.
There are also studies that show routine is linked with
emotional regulation, so knowing exactly how the story ends offers
comfort and a sense that everything is going to be okay.
And sometimes there's almost an existential side to rewatching, revisiting
(12:37):
a song from your childhood or maybe a film that
you saw with a friend in UNI it can feel
like time travel, unlocking memories and emotions that help us
process where we've been and where we are now. Tara
Watson is the senior entertainment writer at Mumma Mea, and
she's researched the most common comfort shows and why we
keep going back. Tara, what are some of the most
(12:58):
rewatched shows of all time and why do you think
they still hold up so well?
Speaker 4 (13:02):
So, I would say the most watch would be like
You've Got Your Sex and the Cities, your Friends, your
Gilma Girls, the Off, thirty Rock. And then there's also
like the kind of old school shows like The Sopranos
and The Wire. So these are shows that are just
very high quality and they still feel as relevant today
as they did. Then. I mean there's gonna be some
(13:23):
problematic moments that you were to kind of ride past,
some stuff that hasn't aged well, especially with friends. Yes,
and thirty Rock. Actually, thirty Rock has some real moments.
People kind of forgive those parts. They're just enjoyable and
very comforting watches.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Are there any newer shows that you've noticed that people
are already starting to rewatch obsessively?
Speaker 4 (13:43):
So I think Netflix has had a big impact So
you've got the newer Netflix shows like Emily in Paris,
Stranger Things You, and Bridgeton. I think they're all You're
relatively new, and those shows are watched on loop. I
think once you finish it, a lot of people start
them again, and.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
They even have those settings to be like would you
like to rewatch? Like it keeps your profile and it
knows what you like.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
The ease of Netflix, it's made for binging, made for
constantly watching. You know, you finish a show, you're either
being asked to watch it again or watch something similar,
so you just can keep watching on loop until yeah,
there's no end.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
Do you think shows are being designed differently? I guess
in their release strategy because of streaming services to appeal
to our I guess binging habits.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Yes.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
What I've seen with Netflix recently is a rise in
limited series and I think they are aware that a
limited series is something that is very easily approached when
you want to just binge something because you've got eight episodes,
you've got ten episodes. So the success of The Queen's
Gambit I think changed a lot of things. That still
is one of the most watch shows on Netflix ever.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Wow, and you.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
Know, it's just a nice little show about chess. I mean,
it's a very beautifully well crafted show, but it's just
a singular story. And then more recently you've had Baby Reindeer,
and then this year we've had Adolescence. There seems to
be more limited series being made because they're just so
easy to binge in, like two days.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
When we talk about those certain shows like Friends or
Gilmore Girls, or Sex and the City or The Office,
what do you think it is that keeps audiences coming
back decade after decade, well, for some of them, decade
after decade or year after year.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
I think, first and foremost they're great shows. Those shows
you just listed are my shows, especially Sex and the
City and Gilmore Girls. There's just a comfort in knowing
what's going to happen. These days, we're very overwhelmed and
overstressed by life, and sometimes not only do you want
to know what's going to happen, but you don't want
(15:45):
to watch anything new. Sometimes. I think sometimes we can't
take in any new information. We don't want to meet
new characters, we don't want to learn anything new. We
just want to be in a place of comfort where,
even like with a show like Friends. You know, you
can watch one episode, you can miss another episode. You
might be cooking, you might be in the kitchen, and
then you can just pick up where you've left off.
(16:06):
It's not a very high stake show, so you can
kind of just watch it very stress free.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
And in terms of that the watching habits, what are
your watching habits? If we're talking about binging these shows
for switching off your brain or destressing, are you watching
stuff as you get ready winding down and watching it
in bed, which isn't great sleep hygiene, but look, we
all do it. Or cooking dinner, what's your watching habits?
Speaker 4 (16:29):
So I have quite a structured watching schedule. While I'm
cooking dinner, I'll put on like a casual sitcom vibe
that I've seen a million times, So I'll put on Friends,
or I'll put on Parks and Recreation or something something
that I just am so familiar with that I can
just listen to it and I know what's going on,
and I can miss parts and it's fine. Then after dinner,
(16:49):
I will watch something new. So usually I'll watch like
a White Loaders or maybe one of my many reality
shows that I watch. Speaking of sleep, hygiene. I do
believe the worst thing you could do. And then I'm
sure a lot of people do this too. I watch
him bedding my laptop before sleeping, a nostalgic rewatch, which
is my new favorite thing. It's just nice to watch
it seate nostalgic. So at the moment, I rewatching Buffy
(17:10):
the Vampire Slayer Crab, which is a show I watch
often as one of my faves. But yeah, it's a
show that makes me think of high school. It brings
me back to those years. I know that show inside
and out. So I watch that and I often fall asleep.
Who that's still on?
Speaker 2 (17:25):
And just to end through your job in the entertainment
department here at Mama Mia, what do you think is
the ultimate comfort show to rewatch?
Speaker 4 (17:32):
Oh ah, okay, yeah, this is the answer, and it's
Gilmore Girls.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
I've never seen Gilmore Girls, so I need to get
on that.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
The word comfort. If you think comfort, you think Gilmore Girls.
I mean, I love Sex and the City, I love Buffy,
but they're not always that comforting. There's like some stressful times.
Gilmore Girls is pure comfort. It's permanently set in autumn.
The colors are so comforting. It's quite low stakes. It's
funny goals, it's just sitting around talking. It's a perfect show.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
So if you find yourself back in Friends or Gilmore
Girls or quoting the Office of the hundredth time, that's
just self care. Thanks for taking the time to feed
your mind with us today. The Quikie is produced by
me Grace Rooverrey and Claire Murphy, with audio production by
Lou Hill.
You're listening to a MoMA Mia podcast. Mamma Mia acknowledges
the traditional owners of land and waters that this podcast
is recorded on.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Hi. I'm Grace Rubrey. This is Muma Maa's twice daily
news podcast, The Quickie. Burnout. It's a word we hear
all the time, and as the year marches on, many
people are already feeling the mental and physical toll of
doing too much too fast. So how do you know
if you're actually burnt out or just stressed out or both.
We'll walk you through the subtle and not so subtle
(00:43):
signs to watch out for. Plus, ever wondered why you
keep rewatching the same comfort shows and movies over and
over again, a new study has uncovered the science behind
our need to hit replay. But before we get there,
here's Clare Murphy with the latest from the Quickie Newsroom
from Monday, April twenty eight.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
Thanks Grace. Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giffrey
passed away this weekend, with her family confirming her death
from suicide. Miss Geffrey had been at the center of
allegations against Jeffrey Epstein, Gallaine Maxwell, and Prince Andrew involving
sex trafficking. Geffrey claimed that the Prince sexually assaulted her
at Epstein's home in New York in two thousand and one,
(01:21):
and again at an orgy organized by Epstein on his
private island in the Caribbean. She was only seventeen at
the time. The claims emerged in court documents in twenty fifteen,
Buckingham Pallace denying the accusations. Epstein was arrested and was
awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges in twenty nineteen when
he was found dead in his prison cell. That same year,
(01:42):
Prince Andrew sat down for an interview with the BBC
where he attempted to downplay his relationship with Epstein and
his connection to Geffrey, despite a photo of the Prince
standing with his arm around the then seventeen year old,
Andrew said he had no recollection of ever having met
her and that it just never happened. After that interview,
Andrew announced he was stepping back from royal duties, releasing
(02:03):
a statement saying it had become clear that his former
association with Epstein had become a major disruption to his
family's life, work Giffrey launched a civil lawsuit against Prince
Andrew in twenty twenty one, accusing him of sexually assaulting
her when she was underage. Andrew attempted to have the
case thrown out, but it was rejected. He agreed to
settle in twenty twenty two for an undisclosed amount of money.
(02:25):
That same year, Epstein's former girlfriend, Gilline Maxwell, was sentenced
to twenty years behind bars for her role in luring
young girls into Epstein's sphere of influence. Last month, and
now forty one year old Virginia Giffrey, who was living
in Western Australia, posted a disturbing photo from her hospital bed,
claiming she was involved in a car accident where she
was hit by a school bus driver doing one hundred
(02:47):
and ten kilometers an hour. The Bruce Giffray also wrote
that she'd gone into kidney renal failure and had only
been given days to live. She said she was ready
to go and just wanted to see her babies one
last time. Despite the claim of only having days to live,
she was released from hospital a week later. Her family
released a statement on the weekend saying that she'd died
by suicide. On Thursday, April twenty four saying Virginia was
(03:10):
a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and
sex trafficking, that she was the light that lifted so
many survivors. Despite all the adversity she'd faced in life,
she shone so bright she'll be missed beyond measure. The
light of her life for her children, Christian, Noah and Emily.
If you're struggling and need someone to speak to, please
reach out to the team at Lifeline. They're standing by
(03:32):
to help. On thirteen eleven fourteen, a panel of sixty
undecided voters handed the third and final Leader's Debate when
to Prime Minister Anthony Alberanizi overnight as Australians prepared to
cast their votes this coming weekend. Alberzi and Opposition leader
Peter Dutton discussed energy, tax and health policies, as well
as Australia's relationship with China, Mister Alberzi saying his government
(03:54):
acknowledges China's efforts to grow its influence in the region,
but noted out closely intertwined training relationship, saying we have
to invest in our defense capability while also investing in
our relationship mister Dutton's approach to China was in line
with his promos to increase defense spending by twenty one
billion dollars, saying the biggest concern for Australia's defense and
(04:15):
intelligence was the Communist Party of China. After far right
activists heckled the Welcome to country on Anzac Day last week,
both leaders were asked about their stance on the practice.
Mister Dutton, who's also promised to remove the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait island of flags from press conferences if he
becomes leader, said there's a sense in the community that
it's overdone and that having it at every meeting or
(04:37):
football game cheapened its significance. Mister Albinizi said it was
a matter of respect, but said that a voice to
Parliament was now gone from his agenda. Thousands of people
have filed past the tomb of Pope Francis a day
after the world said their final farewell to the Pontiff.
A single white rose has been placed on the tomb
in Saint Mary Major, Basilica that has the Pope's name
(04:57):
written on it in Latin, a single light illuminating the
white stone. Many of those who visited either cross themselves
or took a photo thanking him for his work. The
tomb was opened on the second day of the nine
days of official Morning, after which the conclave will be
held to elect the next Pope. No date has been
set for this as yet, but it must start by
May tenth. RuPaul's Drag Race star Jigglie Caliente has died
(05:21):
after she had her leg amputated due to a severe infection.
Her family released a statement saying it is with profound
sorrow that we announced the passing of Bianca Castro Arabeo,
known to the world and cherished by many as Jiglie Caliente,
saying her legacy is one of love, courage and light. Calliente,
who start on season four of RuPaul's Drag Race in
(05:42):
twenty eleven, was appearing as a judge on the show's
Philippines series, but had to pull out due to health
issues that led to her right leg being amputated.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Thanks Claire. Next, It's only the end of April and
you might be feeling a bit tired or even burnt out.
We'll tell you what to look out for. You've probably
heard the word burnout thrown around a lot, maybe you've
even used it yourself. But beyond the buzzword, burnout is real.
(06:14):
It's that bone deep exhaustion that doesn't go away after
a good night's sleep. It's the feeling of being overwhelmed
and under resourced, like you're running on empty and there's
no stop inside. As we settle into twenty twenty five,
many people are already feeling it. Emotionally drained, mentally foggy,
physically tired. Burnout can creep in quietly, disguising itself as
(06:37):
it's just a busy week or it's just a rough patch,
until suddenly you're struggling to get through the day. So
what are the signs to look out for, what's causing it,
and more importantly, how can we stop normalizing it and
start dealing with it. Mumma Maya's Morning editor cass Green
interviewed countless women on their experiences of burnout for her
article your Body Knows You have Burnout. Cassie, You've done
(07:00):
quite a lot of research on stress and burnout, and
in your research you came across the Liptimber study. Can
you tell us what that found?
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Yeah, So it found that burnout was the leading reason
for more than half of working women to experience a
decline in their mental health. That was followed by the
mental load and the juggle of work life and family balance.
So really what the study found is that Australia's women
are really overloaded and quite undersupported.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
What we need to unpack is that burnout and stress
are different things, because stress can often just be situational
and people can often not want to do anything about it.
But can you talk us through what the symptoms of
burnout are and what we should be looking out for.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
Absolutely, So one of the key ones is a kind
of physical exhaustion, so fatigue, headaches, gut problems, frequent illness
as well if you have a bit of a reduced
immune system. So from the experts that I spoke to,
there's quite a lot of that going on. And it
can also be a bit of a tight chest, a
kind of anxiety feeling, and that can manifest when you're
(08:01):
feeling a little bit burnt out. Then you have the
kind of emotional detachments, so cynicism, a loss of motivation, irritability,
and feeling overwhelmed. So the experts largely said that you
kind of no longer find the joy in the every
day that you used to and that can kind of
lead to anxiety and depression. So over time it can
(08:21):
become a little bit more chronic and you can become
more likely to fall into those conditions. They also noted
behavioral changes, so you're not seeing your friends as much,
you might be a little bit more withdrawn at work,
You're procrastinating or having trouble sleeping and getting up in
the morning, So there really is a lot. It can
be quite wide ranging.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Through your research, you actually spoke to quite a few
women who did suffer from burnout before we go into
what their symptoms were. Is burnout something that has to
be diagnosed.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
It's not an official psychological term in a textbook, but
if you're feeling burnt out, you can absolutely reach out
to an expert and they can help you manage it.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
So, what were some of the common reasons for burnout
in the women that you spoke to for your article?
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Yeah, so I spoke to a lot and it's clear
that it's very common. One of my interviews is with
a loving mother who was convinced she was having a
heart attack, only to be told it was a panic
attack and that I think is something that we can
really relate to when we feel stressed and we feel
that tightness in our chest. So there was a common
thread amongst them. A lot of them were mothers. They
simply had too much on their plate, issues with family,
(09:24):
chronic health issues, the mental load of running a house,
being a mother, being a valued employee, it's a lot.
When it all becomes too much, we can't feel our
cup up anymore. So the common sentiment was that burnout
was kind of stealing their joy from their lives, kept
them feeling flat, and that it was really hard to
keep their heads above water when they were feeling this way.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Do you know how long someone can be in burnout for?
Speaker 3 (09:46):
There's no real timeline for burnout. It kind of depends
on how you're feeling and how long the trigger is going.
So if it's say a job, or if it's a
situation you're in, it can be quite chronic and it
can go on for a while, and that's kind of
when you should really start to reach up for support.
If it's not a kind of situation or a pressure
that's going to be alleviated quickly.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
That's a really good point to go looking at your life,
what is to change? And if nothing of those elements
are going to change, then it's time to get help.
What are some things that people can do if they
do need help or they might be feeling like they're
burnt out?
Speaker 3 (10:19):
Yeah, so they can reach out to a registered psychologists
clinical psychologist. And if you find yourself needing to talk
to someone after listening to this, you can also call
Lifeline on one three one, one, one.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Four more.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
No one, Oh lad, world, don't be this way?
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Does that sound familiar or maybe it even sparked a
little sense of calm, that familiar intro, that comforting noise,
the certainty of knowing exactly what you're about to watch,
No surprises, no stress, just the reassurance of the already known.
When there's so much new content constantly dropping, why do
(11:07):
we keep going back to the same shows, movie, these,
books or songs. According to scientists, there's real science behind
the pool of comfort TV. Rewatching something familiar helps calm
the nervous system, giving the brain a much needed break.
It's called the mere exposure effect. The more familiar something is,
(11:27):
like a storyline, a character, a theme song, the more
our brain enjoys it. That's because it feels safe and predictable,
which satisfies a primal need for security, and since we
already know what's going to happen, our brains can switch
off into autopilot, reducing the mental load and helping us
feel calm and restored. Nostalgia also plays a huge role.
(11:50):
When current sensory input like what we're watching, aligns with
positive memories from the past, it triggers dopamine, the brain's
reward chemical, giving us a mood boost. It's like reloading
old happy experiences and hitting play. When we watch our
favorite characters on TV build fake TV relationships. It also
releases oxytocin, the bonding hormone, making us feel more connected
(12:14):
even if we are watching it alone. At the same time,
our brain's reward system lights up, delivering that hit of
joy we crave at the end of a long day.
There are also studies that show routine is linked with
emotional regulation, so knowing exactly how the story ends offers
comfort and a sense that everything is going to be okay.
And sometimes there's almost an existential side to rewatching, revisiting
(12:37):
a song from your childhood or maybe a film that
you saw with a friend in UNI it can feel
like time travel, unlocking memories and emotions that help us
process where we've been and where we are now. Tara
Watson is the senior entertainment writer at Mumma Mea, and
she's researched the most common comfort shows and why we
keep going back. Tara, what are some of the most
(12:58):
rewatched shows of all time and why do you think
they still hold up so well?
Speaker 4 (13:02):
So, I would say the most watch would be like
You've Got Your Sex and the Cities, your Friends, your
Gilma Girls, the Off, thirty Rock. And then there's also
like the kind of old school shows like The Sopranos
and The Wire. So these are shows that are just
very high quality and they still feel as relevant today
as they did. Then. I mean there's gonna be some
(13:23):
problematic moments that you were to kind of ride past,
some stuff that hasn't aged well, especially with friends. Yes,
and thirty Rock. Actually, thirty Rock has some real moments.
People kind of forgive those parts. They're just enjoyable and
very comforting watches.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Are there any newer shows that you've noticed that people
are already starting to rewatch obsessively?
Speaker 4 (13:43):
So I think Netflix has had a big impact So
you've got the newer Netflix shows like Emily in Paris,
Stranger Things You, and Bridgeton. I think they're all You're
relatively new, and those shows are watched on loop. I
think once you finish it, a lot of people start
them again, and.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
They even have those settings to be like would you
like to rewatch? Like it keeps your profile and it
knows what you like.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
The ease of Netflix, it's made for binging, made for
constantly watching. You know, you finish a show, you're either
being asked to watch it again or watch something similar,
so you just can keep watching on loop until yeah,
there's no end.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
Do you think shows are being designed differently? I guess
in their release strategy because of streaming services to appeal
to our I guess binging habits.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Yes.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
What I've seen with Netflix recently is a rise in
limited series and I think they are aware that a
limited series is something that is very easily approached when
you want to just binge something because you've got eight episodes,
you've got ten episodes. So the success of The Queen's
Gambit I think changed a lot of things. That still
is one of the most watch shows on Netflix ever.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
Wow, and you.
Speaker 4 (14:53):
Know, it's just a nice little show about chess. I mean,
it's a very beautifully well crafted show, but it's just
a singular story. And then more recently you've had Baby Reindeer,
and then this year we've had Adolescence. There seems to
be more limited series being made because they're just so
easy to binge in, like two days.
Speaker 2 (15:11):
When we talk about those certain shows like Friends or
Gilmore Girls, or Sex and the City or The Office,
what do you think it is that keeps audiences coming
back decade after decade, well, for some of them, decade
after decade or year after year.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
I think, first and foremost they're great shows. Those shows
you just listed are my shows, especially Sex and the
City and Gilmore Girls. There's just a comfort in knowing
what's going to happen. These days, we're very overwhelmed and
overstressed by life, and sometimes not only do you want
to know what's going to happen, but you don't want
(15:45):
to watch anything new. Sometimes. I think sometimes we can't
take in any new information. We don't want to meet
new characters, we don't want to learn anything new. We
just want to be in a place of comfort where,
even like with a show like Friends. You know, you
can watch one episode, you can miss another episode. You
might be cooking, you might be in the kitchen, and
then you can just pick up where you've left off.
(16:06):
It's not a very high stake show, so you can
kind of just watch it very stress free.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
And in terms of that the watching habits, what are
your watching habits? If we're talking about binging these shows
for switching off your brain or destressing, are you watching
stuff as you get ready winding down and watching it
in bed, which isn't great sleep hygiene, but look, we
all do it. Or cooking dinner, what's your watching habits?
Speaker 4 (16:29):
So I have quite a structured watching schedule. While I'm
cooking dinner, I'll put on like a casual sitcom vibe
that I've seen a million times, So I'll put on Friends,
or I'll put on Parks and Recreation or something something
that I just am so familiar with that I can
just listen to it and I know what's going on,
and I can miss parts and it's fine. Then after dinner,
(16:49):
I will watch something new. So usually I'll watch like
a White Loaders or maybe one of my many reality
shows that I watch. Speaking of sleep, hygiene. I do
believe the worst thing you could do. And then I'm
sure a lot of people do this too. I watch
him bedding my laptop before sleeping, a nostalgic rewatch, which
is my new favorite thing. It's just nice to watch
it seate nostalgic. So at the moment, I rewatching Buffy
(17:10):
the Vampire Slayer Crab, which is a show I watch
often as one of my faves. But yeah, it's a
show that makes me think of high school. It brings
me back to those years. I know that show inside
and out. So I watch that and I often fall asleep.
Who that's still on?
Speaker 2 (17:25):
And just to end through your job in the entertainment
department here at Mama Mia, what do you think is
the ultimate comfort show to rewatch?
Speaker 4 (17:32):
Oh ah, okay, yeah, this is the answer, and it's
Gilmore Girls.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
I've never seen Gilmore Girls, so I need to get
on that.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
The word comfort. If you think comfort, you think Gilmore Girls.
I mean, I love Sex and the City, I love Buffy,
but they're not always that comforting. There's like some stressful times.
Gilmore Girls is pure comfort. It's permanently set in autumn.
The colors are so comforting. It's quite low stakes. It's
funny goals, it's just sitting around talking. It's a perfect show.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
So if you find yourself back in Friends or Gilmore
Girls or quoting the Office of the hundredth time, that's
just self care. Thanks for taking the time to feed
your mind with us today. The Quikie is produced by
me Grace Rooverrey and Claire Murphy, with audio production by
Lou Hill.
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