Whether it be via career expectations, motherly or relationship demands, or physical overexertion at the gym, burnout occurs when we have exhausted ourselves either physically or mentally of our resources and become depleted.
The results can lead you to feeling stressed, anxious, emotional, experience decreased enthusiasm, low self-esteem and even lead to more critical symptoms of headaches, fatigue, hypertension, weight loss or gain, addictive behaviour (including drug and alcohol abuse) and even sexual dysfunction.
There seems to be a lot of information for psychological support in this area, including getting help on setting more realistic goals for yourself, learning to detach from certain circumstances, and understanding how to feel validated in your own efforts to pace yourself in your efforts.
Proper nutrition and exercise are also on the list. Eat more fruits and vegetables … but what else really helps?
Take a moment to reflect on where you feel overexerted.
Most people can relate to some degree. What I like to do is reflect on how much time I am actually putting into self care in the form of meditation, yoga, getting a massage, going for a walk in nature or some other form of “non-exertion” self care.
We need to recharge our batteries.
I love listening to a YouTube video on meditation by Deepak Chopra in the evenings. Meditation is one of the most critical practices to work with to aid all areas of your life. Remember, too, in some cases burnout can take years to recover from. So no matter where you stand, take some time to breathe and reflect and have patience.
It’s not just something you sleep off.
From a nutritional standpoint, your body will likely be experiencing adrenal exhaustion as well as depletion in minerals. It’s critical to avoid processed foods, fried foods and combine a healthy fat, protein and starchy carbohydrate at every meal. Using a greens powder in your water will also add in additional alkaline forming minerals to nourish your body of the extra cortisol that is being released.
What I have found to be a truly rejuvenating tonic is the use of medicinal mushroom teas.
Rich in antioxidants (far beyond your blueberries and oranges) as well as significant immune boosting properties, you can find medicinal mushrooms at your natural health food store in either a powder form or actual dried mushrooms you can brew.
If you’re a starter, just get the ready to go powders that may include reishi, chaga or cordyceps mushroom. I just use a 5 Mushroom Blend. Put in some hot water with two to three tbsp raw cacao powder, which is loaded with minerals, especially magnesium and antioxidants as well and some raw unpasteurized honey, one tsp of coconut oil for that added fat and a half scoop of a plant based protein powder. Drink this first thing in the morning, post 15-minute meditation.
Remember to continuously reflect, breathe and nourish your way back to wellness.
Recharge Chocolate Elixir
2 tsp 5 Mushroom Blend (or your choice of cordyceps, reishi, or chaga)
2 -3 tbsp raw cacao powder
1-2 tbsp raw unpasteurized honey
1 tsp coconut oil
Optional: ½ scoop plant-based protein powder
1½ cups hot water
Kristin Fraser, BSc, is a holistic nutritionist and local freelance writer. Her column appears every second Thursday. She can be reached at kristin@somethingtochewon.ca.