The Relationship Between Affordability and Burnout: How Survival Mode Creates a Cycle of Fear and Exhaustion

In today’s world, many people find themselves trapped in a continuous struggle to meet basic needs—rent, utilities, groceries, and healthcare—living paycheck to paycheck. This persistent financial insecurity creates a cycle that is not only mentally taxing but physically exhausting. The constant fear of not being able to make ends meet can lead to a prolonged state of heightened stress, also known as “survival mode.” While this mode is an innate bodily mechanism designed to protect us in times of immediate danger, when it becomes chronic, it triggers burnout and causes long-term harm to our physical and mental well-being.

Understanding Survival Mode

Survival mode, as defined by the London Psychiatry Centre, refers to a prolonged stress response that activates the body’s fight-or-flight reaction. This biological response is meant to protect us from imminent danger, preparing the body to react swiftly—whether through fleeing from danger or freezing to avoid detection. However, when this state of alertness persists, it depletes the body’s energy reserves and wears down mental resilience.

For many people living in precarious financial conditions, this state becomes their everyday reality. Constantly worrying about meeting the rent or paying utility bills creates an unrelenting cycle of fear and anxiety. These worries do not just affect the mind—they also trigger physical symptoms, such as fatigue, insomnia, and muscle tension, which accumulate over time, leading to burnout.

The Fear of Not Meeting Monthly Expenses

At the core of this burnout cycle is the deep-seated fear of not being able to pay for essentials. For those living paycheck to paycheck, every month feels like a race against time to scrape together enough money to cover rent, utilities, and other necessities. This fear is compounded when unexpected costs arise, such as an emergency medical bill or a sudden price increase in energy or rent. The thought of not having enough money to cover these expenses can cause overwhelming stress, pushing individuals into a constant state of survival mode.

The brain’s emotional center, the amygdala, is particularly activated during these times of stress, heightening the emotional response and making it harder to focus on other tasks or solutions. As the fear intensifies, so does the release of stress hormones like cortisol, which, when elevated for long periods, contribute to anxiety, depression, and physical exhaustion. The more individuals find themselves in this cycle of worry, the more their bodies and minds become depleted, worsening the overall sense of burnout.

The Physical and Emotional Toll

Living under constant stress takes a severe toll on the body. The physical effects of burnout due to financial insecurity manifest in various ways. High levels of cortisol can lead to chronic conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and digestive issues. Over time, mental health also suffers as constant stress makes it harder to focus, think clearly, or engage in meaningful relationships. Emotional resilience deteriorates, leading to feelings of hopelessness, despair, and a deep sense of fatigue.

This burnout extends beyond the individual, often spilling into family dynamics and social circles. As stress increases, the capacity to be present for others diminishes. Relationships can suffer from a lack of emotional availability or the withdrawal of energy needed to foster connections. This isolation only deepens the fear and burnout, creating a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break.

The Impact on Work and Productivity

Survival mode, combined with the stress of financial insecurity, also negatively affects job performance. The physical and emotional toll of constantly being on edge reduces the ability to focus, solve problems, and maintain productivity. Workers may find themselves missing deadlines, failing to meet expectations, or struggling to complete even the most basic tasks.

In the worst cases, burnout leads to absenteeism or job loss, which further worsens the financial strain. As individuals struggle to keep their job while managing their physical and mental exhaustion, the inability to perform effectively may result in income loss, intensifying the very financial instability that caused the initial burnout.

Breaking the Cycle: Finding Solutions

Breaking the cycle of burnout and survival mode requires both personal and systemic changes. For individuals, there are several approaches that can help alleviate the effects of chronic stress, even in difficult financial circumstances:

  1. Prioritizing Rest: While resting can feel like a privilege—it is a necessity. Ensuring proper sleep, rest periods, and time away from stressors is crucial for recovery. Taking different types of rest including physical, social, creative, sensory rest is key to recovery. The Rest Planner can help you in integrating rest in your work routine and manage your energy better.  
  2. Accessing Support Systems: Building a network of friends, family, or community resources is vital. Even when financial resources are scarce, emotional and practical support from others can help buffer the effects of stress. Support groups or counseling may provide outlets for expressing frustrations and exploring solutions.
  3. Financial Literacy and Planning: While it may seem daunting, learning how to manage finances, budget effectively, and plan for the future can provide some sense of control over an otherwise chaotic situation. Resources such as financial literacy workshops or consulting a financial advisor can empower individuals to break free from the fear of financial instability.
  4. Advocacy and Systemic Change: Long-term solutions must also address the systemic issues that perpetuate financial insecurity. Policies advocating for fair wages, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and better work-life balance are necessary to break the link between financial instability and burnout.

The Need for Compassionate Support Systems

Ultimately, the cycle of fear and burnout driven by financial insecurity cannot be broken alone. We need compassionate support systems that recognize the unique challenges faced by low-income individuals and communities. Programs like The RESURGENCE Program offer critical tools to manage stress, rebuild mental resilience, and create pathways to stability. Additionally, access to wellness programs that prioritize self-compassion, rest, and emotional well-being can help restore balance and health in those who feel trapped in survival mode.

Conclusion

The relationship between affordability and burnout is clear: when individuals face constant financial strain, survival mode becomes a reality that drains both the body and mind. The fear of not meeting basic needs—such as rent or utility bills—perpetuates a cycle of stress and exhaustion that leads to burnout. Breaking this cycle requires both individual action and systemic change. By prioritizing rest, building support systems, and advocating for better policies, we can begin to alleviate the physical and emotional toll of burnout and offer individuals a path toward recovery and stability.

As a  founder and CEO of The Deep Listening Path, I invite you to explore our mindfulness-based programs and REST Planner to help you manage stress and support mental health and wellness. Our programs help reduce stress, improve collaboration, and promote well-being, ensuring that teams remain resilient and capable of delivering impactful services. We take a compassionate, intersectional approach to well-being, ensuring our programs are inclusive and culturally sensitive. With recognition in CEO-Weekly and Mental Health Today, I’d love to explore how we can support your team’s mental health— schedule a call to discuss how we can help you as an individual worker and/or your organization.

About Author /

Dr. Shumaila Hemani is an internationally acclaimed artist, changemaker, educator, and certified Positive Neuroplasticity teacher, recognized for her transformative work at the intersections of music, mental health, and well-being. She was the runner-up in Alberta Blue Cross' Face of Wellness (2023) and has been featured in Canada’s National Observer (2023), CBC’s What on Earth (2022), BBC News (2022), Global News (2023), U-Multicultural (2023), the Mental Health Today podcast (2024), CEO Weekly (2024),, Dr. David Susman's Hope and Resiliency blog (2020), and OCD Recovery Diaries (2024),, Map the Systems (Canada Finals 2024) to name a few. Her song "Anticipating" was featured in a cross-Canada tour for Suicide Prevention Awareness and Hope (2020) further amplifying her commitment to mental health advocacy. As the founder and director of The Deep Listening Path, Dr. Hemani integrates deep listening, mindfulness, and self-compassion in her coaching programs, offering 1:1 and group sessions to help changemakers prevent and overcome burnout and restore vitality. Certified in Positive Neuroplasticity by Dr. Rick Hanson, and a founding support member of the Global Compassion Coalition, she empowers organizations and individuals with systems thinking and builds emotional resilience. In her contributions to Wellbeing Magazine, Dr. Hemani will offer insights into mental health, self-compassion, and systemic strategies for self and collective care, empowerment, drawing on her diverse experiences in the arts and mental health advocacy. www.deeplisteningpath.ca

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