Learn the causes and signs of burnout so you can recharge and reverse it naturally. Burnout is one of those terms thrown about without a real defined definition or means of diagnosis. And, it is also a condition that you cannot deny if you are experiencing it.
Burnout arises from prolonged stress without sufficient recovery. There are a wide range of variables that come into play with burnout. While we might associate burnout with high pressure work conditions, the reality is that it can affect anyone experiencing long term pressure and stress.
While we tend to associate overworking with burnout, research indicates that a perceived lack of control in one’s life plays a significant role.
The Burnout Symptoms
Burnout symptoms range from mild to severe:
- Early on burnout manifests as physical exhaustion, chronic pain, poor sleep, headaches, and an increased susceptibility to illness.
- As burnout progresses there tend to be more emotional and psychological issues emerging like depression and anxiety.
- Without intervention burnout will often lead to substance abuse in an effort to experience some relief.
There is also a range of behavioral changes that accompany burnout ranging from loss of motivation, missed work time, and a greater sensitivity to criticism.
The Keys to Turning Burnout Around
Burnout is a condition rooted in the nervous system. You might have read me saying that the solution to any problem lies in addressing the source of the problem. If the problem lies in your nervous system then it follows that the solution to burnout lies in supporting your brain and nervous system.
In other times we might label burnout as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Adrenal Fatigue. They are all a different flavor of the same thing. Stress is processed starting in the brain with messages sent to the Adrenal Glands. This pathway is called the HPA Axis….HPA refers to the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis.
Any treatment must address how the brain and nervous system processes stress if it is to be successful. This is why the approach of prescribing medications for the symptoms of burnout can never solve this challenge.
1. Prioritize Calming Your Nervous System:
Dr. Stephen Porges, the developer of Polyvagal Theory discusses 3 categories of how to cultivate what he refers to as “safety” in the nervous system. You are in search of experiencing safety or ease or calmness in your body and your nervous system. This is the pathway of healing.
The 3 categories are:
1. Environmental: refers to your surroundings. Nature has been shown to have a powerful effect on calming the nervous system. Get outside in nature. The repeating patterns of nature, called fractals, help calm your system.
This also refers to your home and office. Is it relaxing and calming for you? This involves colors, plants, furniture.
2. Embodied: refers to your body. This can be movement like walking or dancing. It can be touch whether that be a hug, a massage, or self-touch.
In my office, Life Chiropractic in Grass Valley, we use conscious breathwork to correct dysfunctional breathing patterns and help balance the autonomic nervous system.
3. Relational: refers to your relationships with both yourself and others. How you talk to and soothe yourself counts. There are people in your life who always offer you a feeling that all is well. These experiences help to anchor safety in your nervous system.
2. Establish Daily Self Support Rituals:
Burnout arises from long term unrelenting stress without adequate time for rest and recovery. Finding time for yourself to pause, to relax, to simply be, is important to help you stay present.
At Life Chiropractic we talk about finding things in your daily life that help bring greater ease to your system. Some of the things we discuss are:
- Getting out in nature for at least a few minutes every day.
- Taking a walk without your phone or electronics.
- Taking time for a cup of tea.
- Dancing with your favorite music on.
We also use a system that teaches people how to learn to self-regulate their nervous systems. We are using the same neurological principles of neuroplasticity that created the problem to rewire the nervous system.
3. Get Adequate Sleep:
Sleep is the time your body recovers and heals. Prioritize getting to bed the same time each night and give yourself at least 7-8 hours in bed each night.
4. Corrective Chiropractic Care:
Chiropractic helps to remove sources of irritation to the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). A chronic imbalance of the ANS is involved in every single case of burnout. Chiropractic care is a powerful first step in bringing your ANS back to a state of greater balance.
5. Restoring ANS Balance:
In addition to chiropractic care, at Life Chiropractic we utilize a number of practices to both bring greater nervous system balance and help your nervous system heal.
About Dr. Berkowitz
Bringing more than 3 decades of practice experience, Dr. Bill Berkowitz focuses on balancing and corrective care, applying his expertise to provide patients with predictable, repeatable and measurable results.
Dr. Bill consistently strives to enhance the well-being of his patients by addressing the root imbalances of their problems and promoting optimal balance, alignment, and function of the spine and nervous system.
Bill’s wealth of knowledge and experience has allowed him to develop a nuanced understanding of the human body and its intricate connections. With each adjustment, he supports the body in returning to a state of balance that goes beyond mere symptom relief, focusing instead on long-term correction for his patients’ well-being.
Schedule your first visit to Life Chiropractic here: Schedule Here