Let’s talk about Burnout
I think it’s safe to say that nearly everyone living in the Western world has suffered from stress. But what about when stress elevates to the next level, and reaches burnout proportions? And what exactly is burnout? What can you do about it? And if you’ve tried everything already, what next?
Burnout Symptoms
Burnout is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion resulting from prolonged stress and overwork. Which, unfortunately, probably sounds pretty familiar to a lot of you.
Here are some common symptoms to help you recognize burnout:
· Physical and emotional exhaustion: persistent fatigue, lack of energy and/or a feeling of being drained—even after a good night’s sleep
· Reduced performance and productivity: burnout can significantly affect your professional life—leading to a decline in performance, decreased productivity and difficulty concentrating or staying focused on tasks
· Emotional distress: feelings of cynicism, detachment and negativity are common in burnout. You may find yourself becoming more irritable, experiencing frequent mood swings, or feeling emotionally distant from colleagues, friends, or loved ones.
· Cognitive impairment burnout can impact your cognitive abilities, resulting in memory problems, reduced attention span, and difficulties with decision-making or problem-solving.
· Physical symptoms chronic stress and burnout can manifest in physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, gastrointestinal issues, changes in appetite, and sleep disturbances.
And the kicker? Burnout can also increase the risk for health concerns like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression and suicide. It’s not something you want to ignore.
So, what you can do about burnout?
The first thing you should do if you think you’re burnt out is to identify the source. While we often think of burnout as related to work (and it often is!) it can be caused by other life circumstances. Things like relationship problems or caring for a loved one with a chronic health condition. Even things like your people pleasing tendencies (putting yourself last).
Once you’ve identified the source, see if there are any immediate changes you can make to lighten your load. This might mean delegating some of your work commitments to others or asking for support from a friend or family member.
There are also therapists and health practitioners that can help you find your way back. And honestly, if you having an inkling that you’re ‘burnt out’, therapy is probably one of the best calls you can make. Bubble baths don’t fix this! A good naturopath is gonna be gold as well, as you’re likely quite deficient in a number of minerals and vitamins by the time you’ve hit this stage. It’s a multi-pronged approach for sure.
Another good call? Acupuncture (of course) is a great option for people suffering from burnout. It’s gentle and restorative—which is exactly what a burnt out body needs. And if your nervous system isn’t being helped, nothing is really going to change.
Here are some of the ways acupuncture can ease burnout:
· Stress reduction: it can help regulate the production of stress hormones, promote deep relaxation and alleviate anxiety and tension associated with burnout (1)
· Restoring energy and vitality: it can help boost energy levels, combat fatigue, and promote a sense of rejuvenation—all of which are essential for recovery from burnout
· Improve mental health it can help regulate mood, restore emotional balance, and foster a sense of calmness
· Improving sleep quality quality sleep is crucial for recovering from burnout. Acupuncture can help regulate the sleep-wake cycle, address insomnia or sleep disturbances, and promote restful sleep, contributing to overall recovery and well-being (2)
· Supporting mental clarity and focus it may improve mental clarity, enhance focus, and support cognitive function, helping individuals regain their productivity and performance.
Honestly, nearly everyone I treat is suffering from an out-of-whack nervous system. We’ve all grown accustomed to feeling stressed, exhausted and anxious. But it’s not normal and you don’t have to feel that way. And this is important: you may be brushed off by some health care professionals. You may be told over and over again that if you have a busy life, of course you’ll be tired. But friends, extreme exhaustion doesn’t have to be your day to day vibe. Panic attacks, overthinking, constant worrying, trouble sleeping… there is a way around this.
Acupuncture can be a fantastic support to help ease your nervous system back into balance. And that little nudge can help all the other building blocks fall into place: quality sleep, clear thinking and a sense of calmness. I also have a fabulous health care referral network who are familiar with these patterns of chronic fatigue and burnout - so if you reckon this sounds pretty good, you’re probably right.
If you recognise yourself when you read through those symptoms, it’s probably time to make that appointment. I’m here for you, in both Sydney’s Inner West and Bondi x