By now you are probably pretty well aware of the mental symptoms of burnout.
You know the drill: irritability, numbness, difficulty making decisions, total overwhelm, all those not-quite-fun stuff.
But what about the physical symptoms, which can often manifest as? early warning signs that you are headed for total burnout?
Many of us aren’t very good at this stuff – and this can mean we don’t know we’re in trouble until it’s too late.
To help us, private rehabilitation clinic Delamere outlines some lesser-known physical signs of impending burnout.
Headache
Don’t just use painkillers and assume you’re fine.
Tension headaches can often occur as a result of chronic stress, and if you keep getting them, burnout could be the cause.
Stomach and Digestive Problems
“Burnout can also negatively impact a person’s stomach health, as stress increases the production of certain hormones and neurotransmitters in the body,” Delamere’s experts say.
‘This can affect the delicate balance of bacteria in a person’s gut, leading to stomach problems such as dyspepsia, gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
“Digestion can also be affected and slowed down, causing bloating, pain and constipation, or alternatively sped up, exacerbating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.”
Weight gain
Long-term stress can lead to weight gain in several ways.
First, it’s much harder to make healthy choices when you’re under heavy mental strain. You’ll likely reach for high-sugar, high-fat, and low-nutrient foods as a comfort food or in an effort to boost your energy levels. You’re less likely to exercise – who has the energy after another long day at work?
There are also hormonal changes caused by stress that can lead to weight gain.
Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, surges through the body when you’re overworked and overwhelmed — and a side effect of this is encouraging your body to store fat cells, especially in the abdominal area.
Changes in sleep
Suddenly unable to drift? Tossing, turning and waking up at night? Waking up way before your alarm clock?
Or do you sleep more than before? Do you still feel tired no matter how much you rest? Fall asleep every time you sit down in a meeting?
These can all be signs of burnout.
“Burnout and high levels of stress can cause the autonomic nervous system to release hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol that cause marked changes in sleep habits and can often lead to insomnia or fatigue,” the Delamere team says.
Frequent colds and infections
Delamere’s experts say: ‘Have you ever wondered why people’s bodies are often more susceptible to colds and viruses when they feel stressed and burned out?
‘That’s because stress suppresses the immune system, making it easier to get sick and harder for the body to fight off.
‘Stress reduces the number of lymphocytes in the body (the white blood cells that fight viruses), putting the body at greater risk of infection.
“But in addition, constant stress also means that the body adapts to an excess of cortisol, which makes the immune system less sensitive to it and can’t regulate an inflammatory response as easily.”
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