Burnout

Nataliya Vaitkevich

Low energy. Motivation non-existent. Immune system shot to pieces. Nerve system on an endless cycle of fight or flight. Burnout is not a new condition, but it’s fast becoming a modern day epidemic. Long covid, adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue, post viral fatigue are a examples-all underscored by one simple truth: we’re exhausted. Why? 

We say that we’re burnt out. Like a fire that has run out of fuel-and that is exactly our issue. Our lifeforce is spent-instead of tending to it with care we live in a culture where it’s glorified to burn the candle at both ends. From a young age high energy lifestyle, productivity, workaholism, overexercise, drug and alcohol use are all seen as normal, even desirable aspects of life. Someone who works harder, is fitter, parties harder, is pedestaled. Somewhere along the line we forgot a basic fact-rest is critical to our health. And by rest I mean the ability to sit or lie down and do nothing. Walk in nature without having to hit a certain number of steps or heart rate. Just be able to walk and breathe. 

Then there is the overstimulation of our minds-they never switch off. Time on technology, time spent driving, texting, on social media, watching TV, netflix, etc are all still draining our energy-just mentally now. It’s like buying a brand new car, and then redlining it-flat out til it breaks. Even cars need to stop, be serviced, and filled with fuel. 

There’s three ways we can quickly restore energy to the body-breath, sleep, food. And if you examine the way we live, it’s for most of us inherently too fast paced. Breath is shallow, rapid, disconnected. Our food is a matter of convenience or time, not a ritual of nourishment and connection that mealtimes can and should be. Fast food has become a giant industry, and a cultural norm. Sleep is interrupted, our circadian rhythm interrupted by the stimulus of technology and artificial light.

For many, somewhere in life our nervous system becomes used to living in a chronically stressed state-it becomes our new normal. When there is imbalance between the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system, we are in a state of using energy-rather than replenishing it. Even if this is subtle, over time this depletes our vitality, our essence (jing), the blood and fluid of the body. Classically this was known as Taxation, or Taxation deficiency. 

Signs of Taxation

• low energy, fatigue

• low immunity 

• frequent colds, flu’s

• irregular bowel movements

• poor circulation 

• lower back pain

• fluid retention 

• excessive urination

• cold hands and feet

• low appetite, nausea

• bloating in the lower abdomen

• insomnia

• dry, brittle or thinning hair

• loss of menstrual cycle

A simple way of viewing burnout is in terms of yin and yang. Yin and yang is a concept that defines reality in relationships mutually opposing and dependent opposites. We need day to know that it is night, cold in order that we know heat, dry that we know wet. Yin and yang must exist in balance for harmony to exist. In terms of our long term health a lifestyle that is too yang: too active, stimulating, busy, rushed, stressed, and less yin will deplete yang and we simply won’t have enough energy to function-like water that once flowed freely we become stuck, stagnant, yin. Without enough energy in the body the function of internal organs becomes sluggish, blood flow becomes weak, and the mind becomes unanchored, ungrounded and overactive. 

How do I work with burnout?

As mentioned before-burnout is a deficiency condition. The first thing I do is establish why you are burnt out, then advise lifestyle changes to remedy that. Acupuncture treatment is aimed at calming the nervous system, allowing the body to rest and recover, herbal treatment is tailored to what your body needs to recover energy and vitality.

What can I do to recover from burnout? 

There are a range of lifestyle changes you can make to improve your energy levels

• Reduce stress: work less. Where possible reduce your work. Or better yet find employment in a field that energises you, and where you enjoy what you do

• Rest, rest, rest: ensure you’re getting good quality sleep each night- eight hours (on average) of unbroken sleep-and you should aim to be in bed by 9pm

• Relaxation: relaxation is critical to reducing the effects of stress on your system. Activities like yoga, meditation, walking, mindfulness, meditation, mindful breathing are all great tools for calming your nervous system. 

• Diet: Eat good, healthy nourishing food that you enjoy. Simply local, seasonal, and organic produce is best. Meat, eggs, ghee, and fish are particularly tonifying. Eliminate processed food (food made with flours, sugar, seed oils like canola etc)

• Switch off technology: technology dependence is draining and inherently technology is very stimulating-aim to be off technology for a couple of hours before bedtime, and have a day a week where you turn off all your devices. Try it-you might just love it.

• Slow down: exercise less, rush less, do less busy, less stressed. 

Suffering from burnout? Or simply have low energy? I love supporting people to reclaim their vitality and find the energy to live life fully. If it feels aligned to you, reach out.