Burnout is defined as a syndrome induced by incredible amounts of stress with exhaustion at the core.
Measuring The Symptoms Of Burnout
In 1982, the first measurement of burnout was introduced: the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Three categories used to measure are:
- Emotional exhaustion
- Feeling emotionally spent
- Feeling of nothing left to give
- Waking up already tired
- Depersonalization (cynicism)
- Becoming detached
- Feeling numb toward people
- Increased sarcasm or irritability
- Loss of empathy
- Reduced personal accomplishment
- Feeling ineffective
- Believing your work doesn’t matter
- Feeling like you’re failing despite effort
Many people don’t recognize burnout until the major symptoms show. Key early indicators include:
- Persistent fatigue
- Difficulty enjoying hobbies
- Brain fog
- Increased emotional reactivity
- Minor illnesses occurring more frequently
- Loss of excitement for things you once enjoyed
- Increased inflammation
- Gastrointestinal difficulties
In Everyday Life
Though burnout is typically described as a syndrome caused by workplace stress, it is a conglomeration of symptoms that the average person may experience in the average lifestyle, at least in our culture.
For example, moms tend to report symptoms like this because they often experience isolation and a loss of identity from a lack of time to be someone other than “mom.” But instead of receiving support and care, she has to push through, ignore her body’s signals, and do it all again the next day.
Additionally, the typical 9-5 is not constructed with the human body in mind. Corporate employees may be seen as functions rather than people, and given very few days of leave even if they are physically inept.
No wonder so many people report burnout symptoms! Our lifestyles are proving to be incompatible with our physiology. Something needs to shift, and our bodies need the space and time to heal from years of conditioning.
Though recent science has sought to prove the Maslach Burnout Inventory inadequate and baseless, doctors of chiropractic have a quantifiable answer to the symptoms: burnout is consistent with the symptoms of prolonged stress response.
Also known as sympathetic dominance, this keeps the body in a state of fight-or-flight through each and every day. The first step to recovering from burnout is recognizing that your body is telling you it is overstressed.
The symptoms are a cry for help from your nervous system, which has been stuck in sympathetic mode for too long.
Because the brain is used to being in fight-or-flight mode, it defaults to those patterns and symptoms in its daily function, keeping the body dysfunctional and symptomatic in a dysfunctional environment.
This makes it more difficult to switch into healing mode–the restorative functions of the body have been dormant for weeks, months, or years.
There are a few subtle changes you can make in your lifestyle to help your body recover from burnout and retrain your brain to maintain balance:
- Regular physical activity
- Prioritizing consistent sleep
- Eating balanced meals and staying hydrated
- Limiting excessive caffeine and alcohol
- Practicing relaxation techniques (breathing, meditation, muscle relaxation, prayer)
- Spending time outdoors
- Engaging in enjoyable hobbies
- Connecting with supportive friends and family
- Setting realistic goals and priorities
- Seeking professional help when needed
Additionally, neurological chiropractic care can be a helpful tool in rewiring the nervous system. These practitioners know how to read your nervous system’s needs and adjust accordingly.
As a form of direct communication with the nervous system, these adjustments can expedite the healing process by removing stuck stress from the spinal cord, allowing the nervous system to heal and function without interference.
Your nervous system functions best with no interference in its communication. Chronic stress disrupts that communication.
If you believe you are burnt out and want to start your season of healing, you may consider scheduling an assessment with our office. We will do a full scan of your nervous system to see how stress is affecting it, and share with you how we believe chiropractic care can help.
Don’t stay burnt out, waiting for symptoms to worsen. Take charge of your health today.
Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2022). The burnout challenge: Managing people’s relationships with their jobs. Harvard University Press.
Edú-Valsania, S., Laguía, A., & Moriano, J. A. (2022). Burnout: A review of theory and measurement. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1780. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031780
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Caring for your mental health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health