Can Burnout Make You Sick? A Therapist Explains
Burnout is more than feeling stressed. It's a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion from prolonged and unrelenting stress. It can make you feel apathetic, resigned, or numb. While it can take a toll on your overall well-being, you might wonder, "Can burnout make you sick?" The short answer is yes, it can.
Burnout doesn't just affect your mood or motivation. It can have a profound impact on your physical health. This is particularly true for millennials, who experience high rates of burnout. Let's explore the ways in which burnout can make you sick and why it's important to address burnout before it leads to serious health issues.
The Link Between Burnout and Physical Health
The relationship between burnout and physical health is complex. Burnout can manifest in many physical ways. This is known as somaticizing stress.
What Is Somaticized Stress?
Somaticizing stress occurs when emotional or psychological stress is expressed and experienced through physical symptoms. It's as if our bodies become a canvas for the stress we carry, painting it in the form of discomfort, aches, and pains. But why and how does this happen?
The Mind-Body Connection
It's important to understand the profound connection between the mind and the body. This connection is often referred to as the mind-body connection, and it's a fundamental aspect of human experience. It’s also the cornerstone of holistic therapy, our preferred method for addressing burnout in high-stress people and professionals like lawyers.
When we experience stress, our bodies respond. The brain sends signals to release stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which prepare our bodies for a "fight or flight" response. This reaction can result in a range of physical sensations, from a racing heart to muscle tension. In small, manageable doses, these responses are help us deal with challenging situations. Once the stress has passed, our bodies can repair themselves. In fact, research suggests that some stress is actually beneficial for our healing capacity. But when stress becomes chronic, it can overwhelm our bodies and lead to somatic symptoms. There just isn't enough down time for our bodies to mend themselves.
Why We Somaticize Stress
Unconscious Coping Mechanism
Somaticizing stress can be an unconscious coping mechanism. When we find it challenging to acknowledge, express, or manage our distress, the body steps in as a way to release and express those feelings. It's as if the body is saying, "If you won't listen to your emotions, I'll make you listen to your physical sensations."
Cultural and Social Factors
In some cultures, expressing emotional distress openly may be stigmatized or discouraged. People may feel more comfortable talking about physical ailments than emotional struggles. This can lead to the conversion of emotional stress into physical symptoms.
Biological Vulnerability
Some people may have a biological predisposition to somaticize stress. In these cases, the brain and body are more interconnected in their response to stress, making physical symptoms more likely to emerge.
How We Somaticize Stress
Muscle Tension
One common way people somaticize stress is through muscle tension. Chronic stress can lead to constant muscle contractions, resulting in headaches, back pain, and overall bodily discomfort.
Stomach Issues
Stress can also manifest in the form of stomachaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and acid reflux. The gut is particularly sensitive to emotional stress.
Cardiovascular Symptoms
Increased heart rate, palpitations, and elevated blood pressure can be a physical response to chronic stress.
Respiratory Symptoms
Stress can cause shallow breathing, hyperventilation, and shortness of breath, mimicking respiratory issues. Some people even have stress-related coughing.
Pain Perception
Chronic stress can alter pain perception, making people more sensitive to pain and discomfort.
Neurological Symptoms
Stress can result in dizziness, tremors, or even numbness and tingling in extremities.
Breaking the Somatic Stress Cycle
Somaticizing stress can create a cycle where physical symptoms lead to more stress, which makes the physical symptoms worse. To break this cycle, you have to address the underlying emotional stress. Talking to a therapist can help you identify the emotional roots of your somatic symptoms and learn healthier ways to cope.
Burnout Related Illness
Understanding why and how we somaticize stress is a significant step towards taking control of our well-being. It reminds us that the mind and body are inextricably linked, and caring for one means caring for the other. By recognizing this connection and seeking appropriate support, we can better manage and reduce the physical toll of chronic stress.
1. Burnout Weakens The Immune System
Chronic stress, a hallmark of burnout, can weaken your immune system. A weekened immune system makes you more susceptible to illnesses like colds, flu, and infections. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones, like cortisol, can compromise your ability to fight off illnesses. It's important to lower your cortisol to regain your immune system's full capacity. This is especially true if you are already immunocompromised.
2. Burnout Causes Cardiovascular Issues
Burnout is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Prolonged stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and increased risk of stroke. These conditions can be directly attributed to the physiological impact of chronic stress.
3. Burnout Related Stomach Problems
More than half of our neuroreceptors are in the gut. Understanding that, it makes sense that burnout can take a toll on your digestive system. Issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, and chronic stomach discomfort often have emotional components. The gut-brain connection means that stress can manifest as physical symptoms in your digestive tract.
4. Sleep Disturbances Due To Burnout
Burnout often leads to insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns. Our circadian rhythms can be affected by stress, particularly if we’re in front of a computer for long hours every day. Chronic sleep problems can weaken your immune system, impair cognitive function, and increase your risk of developing various health issues. This makes burnout worse, creating a vicious cycle.
5. Muscle Tension and Pain From Burnout
Physical symptoms of burnout may include muscle tension, pain, and headaches. The stress response triggers muscle contractions, which, if chronic, can lead to pain and discomfort.
6. Burnout Compromises Mental Health
It shouldn't come as a surprise that burnout is bad for your mental health. While not strictly a physical ailment, the link between mental health and physical health is undeniable. Burnout can contribute to conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as prolonging trauma symptoms, which can further impact your physical health. Again, we're in a self-reinforcing cycle that can be tough to break out of. If you struggle with your mental health on a good day, burnout can be incredibly disruptive.
The Importance of Recognizing and Treating Burnout
Burnout is not a minor concern; it can have severe consequences for your health. It can also take much longer than we realize to recover from. Recognizing the signs of burnout and taking steps to address it is the first step. But then you need to actually treat it. Here are some strategies to help prevent burnout from making you sick:
1. Self-Care For Burnout
Prioritize self-care by setting boundaries, engaging in relaxation techniques, and making time for hobbies. If you need ideas for how to practice self-care, here are 18 easy and free self-care ideas. We also strongly recommend setting boundaries, particularly boundaries with technology.
2. Seek Support
Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist about your feelings. Sharing your burden can be a powerful way to alleviate stress. Social connection has a profound impact on how we feel. Research suggests that support groups can be some of the most transformative experiences for a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. This is because we feel connected to other who are going through something similar. When we don't feel alone, we feel better.
3. Work-Life Balance Adjustment
Strive to maintain a healthy work-life balance by setting clear boundaries. This can be a real challenge for many in high-pressure careers. Here are some ideas for creating better transitions out of work.
You might also try setting better boundaries with your phone.
4. Manage Stress
Learn stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, or yoga. These practices can help you build resilience against stress. They also don't take much time. Five minutes a day of high-quality mindfulness can go a long way in preventing burnout. It’s also a great burnout treatment.
5. Therapy For Burnout
If burnout has already taken a toll on your health, don't hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist can provide customized guidance and support to help you recover.
The Bottom Line On Burnout And Illness
Burnout isn't just a state of mind; it can make you physically sick. Recognizing the signs of burnout and taking action to address it is essential for safeguarding your physical and mental health. If you suspect you may be experiencing burnout, consider seeking help and support. Remember, taking care of your well-being is not a luxury; it's a necessity. Your health is too valuable to sacrifice to the demands of burnout.
Burnout Treatment and Therapy For Millennials
If you're concerned about burnout and its impact on your health, we're here to help. We offer highly customized therapy for burned out millennials. Schedule a free consultation with us. Let's work together to address burnout and take steps toward a more balanced life. Don't wait until burnout makes you sick; take action now to protect your well-being.
