738. Cortisol, Burnout and the End of Chronic Overwhelm

Let’s get real for a moment. Not “do you feel overwhelmed?” but how overwhelmed are you… right now?

If your answer is “way more than I used to be,” you’re not alone. In fact, that’s the norm for so many women I speak to—feeling maxed out, overstimulated, and constantly on edge. And here’s the wild thing: most of us don’t even realize how deep into burnout we’ve gotten until our bodies shut down. 

Think about it: every day you juggle thousands of decisions, from “What’s for dinner?” to managing family schedules, careers, social commitments, and digital overload. Our brains weren’t designed for this 24/7 flood of input. Yet, here we are—expected to handle it all with a smile. 

Compare that to 60 years ago: a black-and-white TV, a single daily paper, and meal plans based on “meat of the day.” Simpler? Yes. Less overwhelming? Definitely.

Fast forward to today: social media, constant notifications, and a culture of doing more with less time have pushed us past our biological limits. And the effects are showing up in our nervous systems, hormones, and health.

What Overwhelm Actually Does to Your Body

That lingering fog, the irritability, the weight that won’t budge? It’s not in your head. It’s in your hormones.

Chronic stress triggers a cortisol rollercoaster that can derail your entire endocrine system. Over time, this shows up as:

• Fatigue and brain fog

• Irregular cycles and hormonal imbalances

• Poor sleep

• Skin and gut issues

• Immune dysfunction

• Weight gain and insulin resistance

• Mood swings or anxiety

Here’s the truth: you can’t fix chronic overwhelm by pushing harder, working out more, or “trying to be positive.” You need the right tools for the job—and that starts with data.

That’s why I love the DUTCH Hormone Test. It gives a detailed view of what’s actually happening in your system, so we can target your healing accurately. No more guessing. No more trying every supplement under the sun.

In the Female Hormone Solution Program, we walk you step-by-step through this process:

• Test your hormones (Dutch Test)

• Interpret your body’s stress and hormone story

• Build a personalized, science-backed plan to heal with meal guides and coaching

• Get ongoing support from me and my expert team

Most women wait until they’re absolutely fried before they reach out. I get it. We’re taught to just keep swimming. But if you haven’t had six months of calm, uneventful life in the last few years? It’s no wonder you feel stuck.

Your body is not broken. It just needs time, support, and the right conditions to heal. That’s what we do. We match the right tools to your situation. 

Get on the waitlist now for the next round of the Female Hormone Solution Program. We only work with a limited number of women so we can give you the hands-on attention and results you deserve.

Click here to join the waitlist: https://drbethwestie.com/waitlist/