Naturopath support for Stress and Burnout
Good and bad Stress
Stress is an everyday occurrence and can be both good and bad.
Good stress, often referred to as “eustress,” is a beneficial form of pressure that motivates individuals to perform at their best and adapt positively to challenges.
It can enhance focus, drive, and creativity, leading to personal growth and accomplishment. This type of stress is temporary and manageable, contributing to a sense of achievement and satisfaction.
On the other hand, bad stress, known as “distress,” arises when the demands placed on an individual surpass their ability to cope effectively.
This can lead to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and even physical health issues.
Constant stress plays a major role in burnout.
Imagine your body as a complex system with different parts that manage stress. When you’re under chronic stress, your body releases a hormone called cortisol a lot.
This can cause problems with the way your body’s stress management system and nervous system work. It’s like a car engine running too fast for too long, which can damage it.
The part of your brain that helps with memory, emotions, and thinking (hippocampus) can get affected, as well as the part that helps control emotions and decision-making (prefrontal cortex). This can make it hard to stay in a good mood and think clearly.
Your body’s “fight or flight” response, which is helpful in emergencies, gets too active, making you extra sensitive to stress.
All these changes can lead to issues like inflammation, heart health problems, and a weakened immune system.
What is burnout?
Burnout is a condition of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion, commonly linked to stress originating from work-related factors.
Burnout revolves around five fundamental elements:
1. Profound fatigue, depletion, and overall exhaustion.
2. Decline in empathy or development of cynicism.
3. Inability to experience a sense of accomplishment or contentment within one’s professional sphere.
4. Compromised cognitive function, reduced concentration, memory lapses, and shortened attention span.
5. Disruptions in mood regulation and disturbances in sleep patterns.
Who can suffer with burnout?
Burnout is most commonly seen in individuals
- High-stress work environments
- Healthcare and first responders
- Primary carers
- History of chronic stress
- Also suffering anxiety or depression
- Those suffering from high pain disorders
- Those with a personality that is highly empathic or sensitive.
- Overachievers and perfectionists
- Any male or female going through hormonal changes
Naturopath solutions for stress and burnout
Obviously this is just general suggestions and everyone is different.
Mindfulness.
Mindfulness doesn’t always mean meditation; it’s more about being fully present.
For example, have you ever eaten at your desk while working and later realized you hardly remember what you ate? The next time you take a break, try to step away from your desk if you can, or at the very least, take a pause from work. Pay close attention to what you’re eating and drinking. Take in the aroma and savour the taste.
Breathing Exercises
Box breathing, also known as square breathing, is a relaxation technique that involves controlled and rhythmic breathing patterns. It’s designed to help calm the mind, reduce stress, and improve focus by regulating your breath. The technique follows a simple pattern:
1. Inhale: Breathe in through your nose for a specific count, such as 4 seconds.
2. Hold: After inhaling, hold your breath for the same count (4 seconds in this example).
3. Exhale: Slowly exhale through your mouth for the same count (again, 4 seconds).
4. Hold: Once you’ve exhaled completely, hold your breath again for the same count.
This creates a cycle resembling the sides of a box or square: inhale, hold, exhale, hold. You can adjust the count to a comfortable pace for you, such as 3 seconds for each step or even 6 seconds if that feels better. Practising box breathing can be a simple yet effective way to promote relaxation, manage stress, and enhance mindfulness.
Healthy Sleep routines and habits
That’s a whole article in itself
Have a relaxing bedtime routine and limit screen time
Nutritional and herbal Support
The most common nutritional needs include iodine, iron and Vitamin B
While herbal medications will support your nervous system.
Questionnaires that naturopaths use to assess burnout
The Perfectionism Scale Questionaire
To see how I can help you and your individual case of stress or burnout please contact me directly.
