Burnout doesn’t happen overnight.
It follows a predictable pattern. And when we understand that pattern, we can interrupt it before exhaustion takes over.
The Anderson Model of Burnout and Personal Recovery™ is a simple, visual, evidence-aligned framework that helps individuals, leaders, and workplaces recognise what’s happening early, take meaningful action, and support recovery at every stage.
It integrates the science of stress, the lived reality of modern work, and the emotional experience of high-performing humans.
The Anderson Model
A practical, research-informed framework to understand, prevent, and recover from burnout.
The Downward Spiral: How Burnout Develops
Burnout unfolds across four predictable phases.
Each phase signals increasing imbalance between demands and resources. Both "demands" and "resources" can be real or perceived, and they can be internal or external.
The spiral can be reversed at any stage with workplace or individual interventions.
1. Activation Zone - Early Stress Signals
Subtle but critical clues that the nervous system is under strain.
Common signs include:
Irritability, brain fog
Fatigue, poor sleep
Physical tension, headaches, migraines
This is typically where people start being more reactive and it's the easiest zone to catch ourselves and reverse the effects
2. Over-Functioning Zone - Coping & Denial
Performance remains high, but at a high cost.
People push harder to get all the work done, regardless of how it impacts their mental and physical health.
Patterns often include:
Overworking
Fixes to keep going (alcohol, coffee...)
Taking on more; no recovery time
Externally they seem capable. Internally, they’re experiencing high chronic stress.
3. Depletion Zone - High Energy Loss
Internal resources can’t keep up with the demands anymore.
Signs include:
Errors, forgetfulness, poorer quality work
Emotional withdrawal and isolation
Absenteeism, Presenteeism
This is a high-risk turning point. Without intervention, burnout becomes likely.
4. Burnout Zone - Complete Depletion
Coping mechanisms stop working. The body and mind force a pause.
People experience the three dimensions of burnout (as per the Maslach Burnout Inventory):
Emotional exhaustion
Depersonalisation and Cynicism
Lack of personal accomplishment (ineffectiveness)
At this stage, professional and medical support is essential. Even a holiday won't "fix" this.
The Upward Arc: The Pathway to Personal Recovery:ecover
Recovery is not a quick fix. It’s a process of rebuilding resources, personal identity, and sustainable habits.
The Anderson Model of Burnout and Personal Recovery™ describes four restorative zones:
Real results, real impact
Reduced sick leave and mental health days.
Increased engagement and productivity.
Improved employee health and wellbeing.
Why this Model Matters for Individuals and Organisations
For Individuals
The AMBPR™ helps you:
Recognise early signs before they become exhaustion
Understand why you feel the way you do
Break free from over-functioning patterns
Recover confidence, clarity, and energy
Build habits that prevent burnout long term
It gives people language for what they’re experiencing, and a roadmap out.
For Workplaces and Leaders
Burnout is a systemic and organisational challenge with huge negative impacts on your organisation's results and success. It is not an individual challenge only.
The AMBPR™ helps leaders:
Quickly identify early signs in their team
Understand what their employees cannot articulate
Respond appropriately to each phase
Reduce turnover, absenteeism, and errors
Support performance and wellbeing without guesswork
Leaders learn that the “problem” is rarely motivation; the people who are most likely to burnout are our high performers, and high achievers.
Burnout is an imbalance between demands and resources (real, perceived, internal, or external), and there is a lot you can act on. The AMBPR™ makes that visible.
12-month Workplace Wellbeing Planner
Burnout-Proof your Workplace Now
Q1: Habits for Health and Wellbeing
Q2: Stress Management
Q3: Physical Health
Q4: Mental Health
Transformative Signature Program
Burnout-Proof your Workplace Now
Learn more 👉🏼
What Sets Cairns Coaching Apart
Our network consists of highly qualified and inspiring coaches, speakers, and facilitators who specialise in stress management, energy management, health & wellbeing, burnout and chronic fatigue.
As a registered social enterprise with QSEC, we are dedicated to giving back to the community and to improve mental wellbeing.
We always ensure our approach is impactful and rooted in science and lived experience.
"Take care of your employees, and they’ll take care of your business.
It’s as simple as that."
- Richard Branson
Our Focus - Your Results
Coaching has been proven to improve several areas, including:
✨ 20-30% Increase in Engagement & 50% Reduction in Quiet Quitting/Disengagement
Individualised wellness plans and health coaching empower employees to feel more connected to their work, leading to significant engagement improvements and reduced instances of quiet quitting.
✨ 15-25% Boost in Productivity
Focusing on mental wellbeing and health at work helps create a positive environment where employees feel and perform better, leading to higher productivity and a more energised, motivated team.
✨ $2.73+ Savings for Every Dollar Invested in Health Initiatives
Targeted wellness programs, including personalised coaching and mental health support, reduce sick leave by 20% and improve overall employee wellbeing by 15%, resulting in substantial cost savings for businesses in workers' compensation and health expenses.
✨ 25% Decrease in absenteeism
Preventative measures in wellness programs, like promoting healthy habits and early detection of signs of stress or health concerns, can significantly reduce sickness-related absences and maintain a healthy workforce.
Find practical tools and powerful insights on the blog.
✨ Because thriving people create thriving workplaces ✨
Every edition delivers:
• Quick mindset shifts + self-care practices you can use today.
• Insights and tools leaders and HR managers can bring into the workplace.
• A ripple effect: healthier, happier professionals → stronger teams → better results.
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I respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which I coach, collaborate and grow, the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji and Yirrganydji Peoples. I acknowledge and pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the world’s oldest living culture and embrace their continued connection to land, waters and community. I pay my deepest respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present.
I also recognise, value and celebrate diversity and act in the spirit of inclusion.
