Burnout occurs from an ongoing feeling of being stressed, overwhelmed, and ultimately drained. Whether it’s caused by your corporate job or full-time mom duties, your body will respond by going into survival mode to get you through the day. However, if this continues for an extended period of time, it can become very detrimental to your health.
Burnout can manifest in different symptoms, some mild and others severe, including:
· Fatigue
· Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
· Headaches/migraines
· Aches and pains
· Digestive issues
· Missing menstrual periods
· Weight gain
· Anxiety
· Depression
· Frequent illness, like colds, cold sores, or other infections
· Flares of existing conditions like lupus or IBS
In serious cases where this state of burnout is prolonged and ignored, your body’s stress response begins to falter and it may even trigger an autoimmune reaction leading to diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Crohn’s disease.
It’s time to stop ignoring the seemingly insignificant physical and emotional symptoms that actually hold potential to turn into bigger, more serious health concerns.
Help your body adapt and heal
In this modern age, it can be nearly impossible to entirely eliminate external stressors, like work and social strain, so one way to decrease stress is to build strong coping mechanisms.
Though adaptogens are commonly said to help decrease stress, they actually work to help restore function to the adrenal glands, regulate the nervous system, and boost immune function in order to improve your resistance to stress.
They increase or decrease chemical reactions that help moderate our stress response, which helps decrease inflammation and leads to healing. For example, if we are in a state of high stress, an adaptogenic herb can function to suppress cortisol levels through the HPA axis and improve how we cope with stressful situations.
Choosing the right adaptogen
Adaptogens are a group of herbs and mushrooms that have healing properties useful when treating burnout, but their effects can range from calming to stimulating.
Examples of gentle and calming adaptogens:
· Ashwagandha
· Holy basil
· Reishi mushroom
Examples of adaptogens that can be stimulating or energizing:
· Panax ginseng
· Rhodiola
· Cordyceps
While adaptogens build their effects over time and are generally safe for long-term use, they are not meant to be the sole solution to dealing with stress and burnout. The goal is always to uncover and address the underlying causes to chronic illness and fatigue while using adaptogens for support through the burnout phase.
Remember, everyone is different and what works for one person may not be the best fit for you. If you have underlying conditions, are taking prescription medication, or you are pregnant, it’s important to consult with your naturopathic doctor before taking herbal supplements.