How chronic stress leads to nervous system dysregulation, which then leads to burnout.
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CO-CEO, NEUROFIT
1 MINUTE READ
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UPDATED MAY 17, 2023
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF STRESS
When we experience stress, our nervous system responds by shifting into a higher gear. The sympathetic nervous system is activated, which leads to the release of stress hormones like cortisol. These hormones prepare our body for the "fight or flight" response by increasing our heart rate and blood pressure, and by redirecting blood flow away from our digestive system and towards our muscles.
In the short term, this response is beneficial as it can help us to deal with a stressful situation. However, if we are constantly under stress, our body learns to stay in this state of high alert, which leads to nervous system dysregulation.
WHAT IS NERVOUS SYSTEM DYSREGULATION?
Nervous system dysregulation is a condition in which the body's stress response is constantly activated, even in the absence of a stressful situation. This can lead to a number of physical and mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and cardiovascular disease.
THE LINK BETWEEN DYSREGULATION AND BURNOUT
There is a strong connection between stress and nervous system dysregulation. Chronic stress can lead to an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which can in turn cause the body to become dysregulated. This can even eventuate as burnout: a condition in which the body is unable to cope with stress and becomes exhausted both mentally and physically.
HOW TO RESOLVE DYSREGULATION
There are many ways to re-balance the nervous system and restore a more peaceful resting baseline over time, including exercise, meditation, yoga, or any other activity that helps you to feel calm and relaxed. By managing your stress levels, and identifying which areas of life and which habits are most contributing to your stress, you can reduce and prevent nervous system dysregulation and the health concerns that can come with it.
80% of the nerves in the human body are "afferent" - running from body to brain. Under stress, when the nervous system and thinking brain tell different stories, the nervous system almost always wins.
NeuroFit is a nervous system trainer. Through daily check-ins, biometric measurements via your phone's camera, and tailored exercises, it removes stress at the source. Available for iOS & Android.
Burnout most often looks like exhaustion and dissociation, negativity and cynicism towards one's job, and a decrease in performance. It is the end result of chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
Learn about the nervous system and relieve stress at the source with NeuroFit - available for iOS and Android.
Dysregulation is when the nervous system stops functioning properly and perceives events as stressful or overwhelming due to high allostatic load (baseline stress level). This happens when its baseline has moved significantly away from the default ventral vagal state, often due to chronic stress, trauma, poor sleep, and poor diet. This brings about a variety of problems, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and even autoimmune disease.
Learn about the nervous system and relieve stress at the source with NeuroFit - available for iOS and Android.
Chronic stress is when a person experiences long-term, persistent strain on the nervous system, an environment which often leads to physical and mental health problems.
Learn about the nervous system and relieve stress at the source with NeuroFit - available for iOS and Android.