Managing your nervous system through the stages of burnout
Feb 22, 2025
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Dr. Claire Plumbly, a clinical psychologist and author of "The Trauma of Burnout," shares her expertise on the complexities of burnout in this engaging discussion. She clarifies the distinction between stress and burnout, emphasizing that chronic stress, often exacerbated by caregiving responsibilities, can lead to physical trauma. Dr. Plumbly explores the polyvagal theory, outlining how to soothe and manage the nervous system to recover effectively. Listeners will gain valuable strategies for recognizing their body's signals and achieving optimal self-care.
Understanding the distinction between chronic stress and burnout is crucial, as burnout signifies an unaddressed state of chronic stress affecting both emotional and physical health.
Recognizing one's position within the nervous system allows for effective management strategies, such as movement and self-care practices, to facilitate recovery from burnout.
Deep dives
Understanding Burnout and Its Complexities
Burnout is often misunderstood and misused as a term, particularly in the context of social media, where it is frequently oversimplified. It is not solely confined to workplace stress but can also stem from caregiving responsibilities and personal challenges. The long-term effects of burnout can be severe, leading to physical issues such as heart problems and digestive disorders, illustrating its deep impact on overall health. Addressing burnout requires a nuanced understanding of its origins and effects, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
The Distinction Between Stress and Burnout
Stress is the body's natural response to demands and can be beneficial in short bursts, enhancing focus and performance. However, when stress becomes chronic and leads to disengagement, it tips into burnout, characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion. Individuals may experience diminished emotional responses, feelings of cynicism, and reduced effectiveness in their roles as signs of burnout. Recognizing the transition from stress to burnout plays a crucial role in timely intervention and recovery.
The Role of the Nervous System in Burnout
The body's response to chronic stress activates the autonomic nervous system, which can lead to significant health consequences if left unchecked. Chronic stress can result in what's termed allostatic load, where the body's systems suffer from prolonged wear and tear, leading to fatigue and decreased cognitive function. Effective management of burnout involves understanding how stress affects both the physical body and the brain, highlighting the interconnectedness of mental and physical health. Individuals experiencing burnout might notice slower decision-making and poor health outcomes, underscoring the importance of recognizing and addressing their condition.
Practical Strategies for Managing Burnout
To combat burnout, individuals must first recognize where they stand within their nervous system, as awareness is key to making necessary changes. Simple actions like movement can help discharge built-up stress, while gentle self-care practices can assist in re-engaging with one’s emotional state. Implementing structured routines and systems may alleviate the overwhelming feeling many experience when juggling various responsibilities. Ultimately, fostering self-compassion and understanding personal patterns of behavior are essential steps toward recovering from and preventing burnout.
On this episode of Overcoming Distractions, we are talking about burnout and what it can do to our body.
When people are truly burned out, in most cases that causes trauma within the body. And that trauma can come in all types of forms. And when burnout is not addressed, it can take a person years in some cases to recover.
Burnout is also becoming far more complex. For example, not all burnout is rooted in the workplace. You may have caregiving responsibilities which are adding to your chronic stress.
So let's get into what burnout does to you as a human.
The guest on this episode is Clinical Psychologist Dr. Claire Plumbly …author of….THE TRAUMA OF BURNOUT: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You.
First, Dr. Plumbly talks with Dave to clarify the differences between stress and burnout. The term burnout seems to be thrown around a little too loosely lately. Burnout is chronic stress unaddressed.
Chronic stress leads to burnout. Dr. Plumbly talks about what chronic stress is doing to our bodies and our nervous system.
Dr. Plumbly also discusses with Dave the various modes of burnout including the red mode and the green mode. Why most of us shut down when we are burned out and how to soothe the nervous system into green mode as she explains.
She also explains the polyvagal theory of the nervous system. Understanding this can help us recover from burnout more effectively.