CHRONIC STRESS, DYSREGULATION, & BURNOUT

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.

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.

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.

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.