Burnout

Burnout is a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion due to prolonged exposure to or repeated stress, according to Psychology Today. A study done by Winona State University showed that on average by the age of 32 everyone has experienced some sort of burnout. Burnout can look different from person to person but there are five identified stages of burnout.

1. The Honeymoon Phase: The start of a new endeavor with high satisfaction, commitment, and creativity!
2. Onset of Stress: decreased optimism, with stress starting to affect you 
3. Chronic Stress: Increased stress levels, with more intense symptoms of stress impacting your optimal function
4. Burnout: Stress symptoms become critical and there is a decreased ability to cope with the stresses 
5. Habitual Burnout: Symptoms of burnout are so embedded in the day to day. Burnout is now manifesting into emotional, physical, and mental problems

Being burnout not only impacts one’s career but may also affect how one is present with their family, how you perform in the gym. Symptoms of burnout include: chronic headaches, chronic stomach/bowel issues, intensification of physical symptoms, missed deadlines, increased caffeine usage, persistent tiredness in the mornings, and more.

What can you do about Burnout?

First acknowledge that you may be burned out and that's not a bad thing. It's a check engine light to address and to negate further problems. Focus on replenishing the basics: sleep, nutrients, and movement. Prioritizing sleep helps our brains and bodies physically rest and rejuvenate. Proper movement, now isn’t the time to add extra stress by training for a marathon or maxing out on squats. It is the time to have movements like daily walks, more easy runs, and or backing off the heavy sets in the gym. This will give the mental and physical benefits of movement without overtaxing an already taxed system. Nutrition is how the body and brain are fueled. Is the fuel going in whole nutrient dense foods that will feed our biochemistry or quick, fast, processed foods that will gum up the body’s biochemistry leading to decreased recovery and increased feelings of sluggishness? Another aspect to factor in when it comes to nutrients is to check for deficiencies or insufficiencies of vitamins or minerals. Not sure how to check for such deficiencies? Getting a Functional Medicine evaluation is an easy step to take to dive deeper into supporting your body’s unique needs to reach optimal levels! While nutritious foods, gentle movements, and proper sleep can all help in the recovery process from burnout, remember you can’t heal in the same environment that.

Now that sleep, nutrition, and movement are covered let's talk about supporting the Nervous System. Burnout through a neurology lens is a stressed out, stuck in fight or flight Nervous System. This is where Chiropractic comes in to support! By addressing any tension and stress on the Nervous System through a Chiropractic adjustment this allows the brain and body to operate at a more optimal level to help recover from any current episodes of burnout. Regular Chiropractic care helps support the neurology of the body (i.e. the operating system) to be more adaptable and avoid future burnout or as severe episodes of burnout.

Through a season or recovery journey from burnout remember to show yourself grace and gentleness it can take anywhere from three to twelve months to fully replenish yourself from being burnt out.

For more questions on burnout and Nervous System support reach out to our team at Back in Line Family Chiropractic & Wellness!