How do I know if I am burned out or just stressed out?

In this episode of Insurance Town, host Mayor Heath Sheeran sits down with Chelsea Bell Carpenter, a seasoned insurance professional with a diverse career spanning agency work, claims adjusting, and restoration services. The conversation dives deep into the critical distinction between stress and burnout, emphasizing that while stress is a normal, temporary state, burnout is a chronic condition marked by emotional exhaustion, cognitive decline, and detachment. Chelsea shares her personal journey—from starting at Farmers Insurance to becoming a large loss adjuster and now a service provider—highlighting how her experiences with trauma, resilience, and self-development shaped her mission to help others reclaim their well-being. She explains that burnout is not caused by external factors alone but is rooted in individual choices and the inability to set boundaries, urging listeners to reclaim control through intentional rest, somatic practices, and identity redefinition beyond work. The episode also explores generational shifts in work culture, with younger generations prioritizing mental health and balance, and offers practical tools like scheduled 'nope hours' and digital detoxes to foster long-term resilience. Heath and Chelsea conclude with a powerful message: rest is not laziness—it’s a necessity for creativity, connection, and sustainable success.