Stress & Relaxation

5 Unexpected Threats to Optimal Brain Health

Today we are so busy keeping their bodies in shape, it’s easy to forget that brain health is just as important. The human brain is the biggest puzzle known to man, and there have been countless studies attempting to unlock its many secrets. Like most parts of the human body, the brain requires proper maintenance and conditioning. Brain and physical health go hand-in-hand — hence the famous mantra ‘healthy mind, healthy body.” Regular exercise, a good diet and social activity can help improve brain health…but there are also some unexpected things that can have a negative impact on your brain.

Chemotherapy Speeds Up the Brain’s Aging Process

Chemotherapy holds its ground as the most popular and readily available treatment for treating cancer and tumors, but it has had its criticisms throughout the years. The treatment utilizes a anti-cancer drugs in an attempt to kill off cancer cells, and while proven effective, it does take a toll on the human body and might even harm your brain.

One recent study looked into a phenomenon called “chemo brain.” Most often associated with breast cancer patients, chemo brain is essentially a loss of cognitive abilities that occurs during and sometimes long after chemotherapy. Aside from that, some patients also report to having memory loss right after undergoing treatment.

While chemotherapy does not exactly damage the brain, it has also been found to accelerate its aging process. Researchers are yet to uncover the exact relationship between chemotherapy and the brain’s aging process, but based on the results which saw 45.2 percent of the respondents admitting to poorer cognitive skills, chemotherapy could be more harmful than initially thought.

Some Foods are Bad for Brain Health

Not surprisingly, your diet also plays a huge role in how well your brain works. Eating foods like turmeric, fatty fish and certain vegetables helps promote better memory. Taking a natural supplement that provides ingredients proven to help maintain cognitive health can also help. Of course, there are also several foods you might want to avoid if you want to live with a healthy brain for the rest of your life.

Some of the worst foods for your brain include sugary drinks, refined carbs, foods high in trans fats, processed foods, aspartame, alcoholic beverages and mercury-rich fish. The most common factor these foods share is that they are mostly unnatural. Artificial ingredients and other chemicals are not healthy for the human brain. If you want to avoid these ingredients, then checking a product’s label before making a purchase is a must.

Stress is Bad: Chronic Stress is Worse

It is already well-known that stress can have complications for a person’s physical health — but what it can do to the brain often goes unnoticed. Short periods of stress aren’t usually a major cause of concern, but continuous pressure could lead to long-term health problems.

First off, how does stress affect the brain? According to the Harvard Health Publications of Harvard Medical School, the amygdala sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus after a stressful event. This triggers a person’s fight-or-flight reaction, which results in physical changes such as increased heart rate and more rapid intake of air. During this process, the body also releases a hormone called cortisol to help cope with the energy that was lost.

Although cortisol helps the body recover, it could potentially harm our brain when released in excessive amounts. High cortisol levels could impair brain functions and a person’s sociability. Furthermore, chronic stress can also shrink the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that is responsible for memory and learning.

Too Little Social Interaction Negatively Affects Your Brain

People who rarely engage in social interaction with others may be harming their brains as well. Failing to meet one’s physical, mental and social needs could lead to a lack of connection between the mind and body. This, in turn, leads to a host of emotional conditions such as stress, depression and anxiety, which are all harmful to the brain.

Lack of Exercise Is Bad for the Body and Brain

Not only is exercising good for you physically, but it is also good for brain health. It is not enough to live an active lifestyle while you are still young; lack of exercise as you move into middle-age is harmful regardless of your level of physical activity during younger years.

A study from the Boston University School of Medicine showed that inactivity at 40 could be related to a significantly smaller brain size at the age of 60. According to the researchers, inactivity increased the aging process of the brain significantly. However, the researches do admit that the study should be taken with a pinch of salt, as more work needs to be done to further prove the claim. They do admit that there is indeed a correlation between physical activity and brain volume.

The brain is the powerhouse of the human body and is easily one of the most important organs as well. While it may be responsible for all of the things we do, the brain is a very sensitive organ that is affected by various factors and as such, must be cared for intensively. If you take care of your brain properly and manage to avoid the things stated above, you’ll be on track to enjoy optimal brain health well into your golden years.

Effects of Depression and Anxiety on Physical Health

Jan 17 by Ewcopywriting

Millions of people deal with mental concerns such as depression and anxiety on a daily basis. A great deal of the research on these illnesses have focused on their effects on mental health and lifestyle. According to experts, they also can have a dramatic effect on physical health. In fact, the physical effects of depression and anxiety can be as serious and far-reaching as risk factors like smoking and obesity.

Depression and Anxiety: A Growing Pandemic

Depression and anxiety are growing problems in the modern world. Depression, which is defined as a low mood along with fatigue, inability to enjoy normally enjoyable activities and physical symptoms such as pain and loss of appetite, affects around 216 million people in the world. Another 40 million people in the United States alone suffer from anxiety, a persistent feeling of worry and dread.

Although these mental illnesses are very different, they often have a similar cause. People with these mood disorders have been found to have low levels of serotonin, dopamine and other neurotransmitters that can affect mood. These neurotransmitters also have a sizeable effect on physical health.

The Effects of Depression and Anxiety on Physical Health

The most obvious symptoms of mood disorders are (unsurprisingly) their effect on mood. However, there is significant evidence that they can have other effects as well, both mental and physical.

In a recent study, researchers looked at a group of more than 15,000 people. They collected intensive health data, including whether they had been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety. When they compared the health of people with mood disorders to the group of people not suffering from anxiety or depression, the results were astounding. The group with depression and anxiety had a much higher risk of serious health problems — a significant difference comparable to being obese or smoking tobacco.

How much higher was the risk? People who had depression or anxiety had a 50 percent higher chance of developing high blood pressure. They were almost 65 percent more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. They also were more likely to suffer chronic pain conditions, including an 87 percent increase in arthritis.

Clearly the chemical imbalances that underlie depression can cause a variety of other health problems as well. This underscores the importance of getting effective treatment as early as possible. However, that is a huge obstacle for many people with mood disorders.

The Challenges of Restoring Mental Health

Despite the common characteristics of anxiety and depression, there are huge challenges in treatment. The first-line pharmaceutical drug for these illnesses is the SSRI, a medication that increases serotonin levels in the body. However, more than half of people who take these drugs find that they are not completely effective. Combining medications with therapy, other medications or even natural supplements can help, but even this is not a guaranteed cure.

In addition, antidepressant medications can have a variety of unwanted side effects, including weight gain and lower libido. As a result, many people are turning to evidence-based natural remedies to help with both depression and anxiety.

Natural Help for Depression and Anxiety

There are several natural remedies that have been found in clinical trials to positively affect mood and treat many of the unwanted symptoms of depression and anxiety. Increasing levels of tryptophan and 5-HTP has been proven to be helpful, as these are serotonin precursors that can be used as building blocks for this important neurotransmitter. Not only could a supplement that combines tryptophan and 5-HTP offer hope for those with depression and anxiety, but also may aid in a variety of physical complaints such as sleep concerns, maintaining a healthy weight, minor pain and other conditions that have been linked to mood disorders.

Can a simple and legal over-the-counter natural option help reduce the risk of the serious diseases associated with depression and anxiety? While there has been no research on this matter so far, it makes sense on an intuitive level. Mood disorders are caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters — an imbalance which also appears to increase the risk of physical illness. It makes sense that dealing with the root cause of this imbalance may benefit not just mood, but also the increased disease risks associated with certain mood disorders as well.

Even more importantly, supplements combining 5-HTP and tryptophan have fewer side effects. When combined with other lifestyle changes and quality therapy, a supplement containing 5-HTP and tryptophan may be an effective natural choice for maintaining a healthy mood.

As with all medical decisions, it is important to talk to your physician before changing your treatments. However, these supplements are showing immense promise for mood cnocerns, as well as the physical complaints caused by them. Although beating mood disorders can be a challenge, it is a challenge that you can face successfully with the right treatments and support.

7 Ways to Successfully Navigate Holiday Stress

Dec 03 by Ewcopywriting

The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy, happiness and goodwill. However, the often unrealistic demands that accompany it can make it tough to keep the holiday spirit alive, fostering stress — and even depression — instead. Holiday stress can become overwhelming; when you feel it creeping in, it’s a good idea to stop, regroup and reset. Follow these effective tips to minimize (and even prevent) the stress that comes with the season.

Preparation Eases Frustration

One reason people feel frustrated and tense over the holidays is that they respond to things as they come up without really developing a plan of action. Taking a more proactive approach can alleviate the holiday pressure by helping you adhere to a set schedule. Mark down your obligations and tasks on a calendar, so you can see what needs to be done on each day. This will help you organize your time better. As you schedule your tasks, such as shopping or the office holiday party, remember that traffic will be heavier and department stores will be busier.

Take Time for Self Care

The holiday season is a hectic time, but that’s all the more reason to make sure to spend time on yourself. Don’t forget that prolonged stress can weaken the immune system and open us up to illness. If you ordinarily engage in relaxation techniques or hobbies, don’t let those activities go just because the holidays are upon us. If you don’t normally meditate, perform yoga or exercise, this may be a good time to start. Even taking up a hobby or activity that interests you can relax your mind and body. You’ll be surprised by how well you’re able to handle holiday pressure once you begin taking time for yourself.

Give Your Body a Natural Boost

Often, people forget to take care of their health during the holiday season. They eat on the go more frequently and that means they’re not getting all of the vitamins and nutrients their bodies need to stay mentally and physically healthy. Taking a natural supplement like Mitochron that provides vitamins, enzymes and amino acids that support the body and cells during times of stress can help limit the risk of holiday burnout. In addition to boosting energy, the amino acids L-carnitine and L-arginine also help the body eliminate toxins from the body. This is especially helpful in reducing the physical toll of holiday stress, because the unhealthier diets and lifestyles we adopt during the season cause our bodies to collect and store more toxins that negatively impact our health.

Dealing with Family

Spending time with family is one of the most common causes of stress during the holidays. People often feel pressured to see as many of their relatives as possible, which can cause them to spend more time traveling than actually visiting loved ones. To avoid this, don’t try to see everyone every year. Choose one destination each year, so you don’t overburden yourself with too much traveling. You can always spend time with other relatives in the spring for Easter or the fall for Labor Day.

Work Out a Budget

For many people, the stress of the holidays doesn’t end after the first of the year, because that’s when those post-holiday credit card bills start rolling in. You can avoid that by developing a holiday budget and sticking to it. Decide in advance how much you’ll contribute to holiday parties and don’t go over that for the total number of parties you’re involved in planning. Office parties, family get-togethers, and parties with friends can become a huge financial burden, if you let yourself get carried away. Similarly, limit how much you’ll be spending on gifts and realize that you don’t have to buy everyone a special gift. Use cash or your debit card, but keep those credit cards set aside for real emergencies.

Get Enough Sleep to Limit Holiday Stress

Getting seven to eight hours of quality sleep is essential for a variety of reasons. In addition to helping the body physically recuperate, it also gives the mind a chance to regenerate. This is why insufficient sleep leads to symptoms like irritability, mood swings, anxiety and depression. A lack of sleep can have a worse effect on the mind and body throughout the holiday season because people usually expend more energy than usual. Getting enough sleep will give your mind the time it needs to ease stress and recharge energy levels.

Accept What Can’t Be Changed

When it comes down to it, people often take on more than they can handle without realizing it. One way to avoid doing this is to accept that some things are beyond your control. For instance, if a relative is coming to your home for dinner and doesn’t like what you’re serving, don’t take it upon yourself to make a separate meal for that person. Instead, recommend the relative bring one of her favorite dishes to add to the dinner. Similarly, don’t be afraid to ask others to contribute to meal preparations, shopping, and other tasks. Delegating your responsibilities will help everyone have a less stressful holiday.

Depression is more common through the holiday season partly because people experience heightened stress levels. During this time, it becomes that much more important to take proper care of your mental well-being. This means taking the time to engage in enjoyable activities and finding ways to limit the pressures placed upon your shoulders. This may include asking others to lend a hand, organizing your plans more efficiently, and practicing relaxation techniques. The holidays only last a short time, but unrelieved stress can affect you for much longer if you let it.

Researchers Discover a Novel and Effective Treatment for Burnout Syndrome

Sep 27 by Ewcopywriting

While amazingly resilient to the effects of short-term stress, the human body simply can’t endure the constant assault produced by chronic stress for long periods of time. Long-term, unresolvable stress, whether it be job-related or otherwise, can eventually produce feelings of exhaustion, listlessness, inability to cope and even depression — a condition dubbed “burnout” in the 1970s by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger. Technically, there is no clinical definition or diagnostic criteria for “burnout.” Increasingly, however, health care professionals are recognizing burnout to be a serious mental health concern, impacted by both biological and lifestyle factors, which can have dire consequences if left unchecked.

To date, the most common approach to treating severe burnout is the prescription of antidepressant medications. While effective at managing burnout symptoms, these medications tend to be accompanied by adverse side effects such as weight gain and increased blood pressure. In a study published in the journal NUTRAfoods, researchers have identified a specific composition of amino acids that could be used to safely treat burnout without the negative side effects of antidepressants.

Stress and Mental Health

Mental health is an ever-growing area of concern. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental illness affects nearly 45 million adults in the U.S. That means that just about one in every five adults in America are living with some form of mental illness. Accounting for about 20 percent of all claims, mental health conditions are the second most common disability diagnosis in the U.S. and are estimated to cost the country roughly $193 billion in lost earnings each year.

Stress is necessary for survival. It is our natural defense mechanism against perceived danger. When we’re faced with a challenging situation, our bodies respond physically by releasing hormones to prepare for either confrontation or evasion. This “fight-or-flight” response mechanism helps us to know when and how to react in times of danger, but if triggered constantly, it has the power to deteriorate both mental and physical health.

5-HTP and L-Tryptophan in Mental Health and the Treatment of Burnout

There is an undeniable overlap between burnout and depressive symptoms. Previous research found that the amino acids 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and l-tryptophan, both chemical precursors of serotonin, are effective treatments for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia without many of the adverse effects that are generally associated with the use of antidepressants. Now, scientists analyzing the effectiveness of long-term use of a particular formulation of the two amino acids have determined that 5-HTP and l-tryptophan are also effective at treating the symptoms of burnout without the adverse effects of antidepressants.

In the study, a total of 64 volunteers from varied backgrounds who were between the ages of 25 and 55 were administered “a combination of fast-release 5-HTP and timed-release L-Tryptophan” over the course of a month. The nutraceutical formulation was designed to make the 5-HTP immediately bioavailable, while continuously releasing the l-tryptophan over a six-hour period. The mental state, burnout severity and general well-being of each participant was assessed daily, with any adverse side effects also documented in the case report. The blood pressure rate, body mass index and heart rate of each participant was recorded from the beginning of the study until 21 days after the study ended.

An analysis of the resulting data showed that burnout severity improved continuously over the course of treatment with an absence of adverse effects on heart rate, blood pressure or BMI. Evidence suggests that long-term treatments would see even more significant improvements over time.

The team believes the effectiveness of serotonin precursors in treatment to substantiate the theory that burnout may be in part due to “an underlying serotonergic mechanism”. The authors state within their findings, “the results of this study confirm the involvement of serotonin in burnout and indicate that continuous and repeated stress could exhaust the pool of serotonin and/or interfere with the CNS availability of this neurotransmitter.”

Their results showed 5-HTP and l-tryptophan to be effective at improving the mental and physical well-being of those with the early signs of burnout. The authors conclude, “treatment with controlled release serotonin precursors clearly demonstrated promising results in slowing the progression of early burnout syndrome by alleviating symptoms as shown by improved MBI and motivational index scores.”

The Consequences of Burnout: Impacts on the Brain and Body

Addressing the cause and treating the symptoms of burnout is critical to curbing the long-term effects that constant stress can have on the body. When our stress response is triggered, the body revs up production of chemicals such as adrenaline and cortisol, which are meant to increase energy, alertness and preparedness by upping blood pressure, heart rate, and blood glucose levels. Consistently high levels of these hormones hinder normal bodily functions like digestion, immune response and sleep-wake cycles.

Chronic stress is known to have a lasting impact on the physical structure of the brain and key systems of the body. Constant over-stimulation leads to premature aging and dysfunction in the nervous system, the HPA axis, the serotonergic system as well as emotion- and stress-regulating regions of the brain like the amygdala. Long-term stimulation of stress mechanisms can eventually lead to cortisol dysfunction and adrenal insufficiency, at which point, the symptoms of burnout are likely to become disruptive to both mental and physical health.

Signs of Burnout: Indications You Could Be Suffering From Too Much Stress

If not addressed, constant stress leads to the development of mental and physical health problems such as depression, obesity, heart disease, digestive problems and increased vulnerability to illness. Knowing what to look out for is important to be able to recognize the earliest signs of burnout. Here are some of the most common tells that the body is encountering too much stress:

feelings of fatigue and exhaustion
gastrointestinal difficulties
difficulty maintaining focus, concentration and attention
fixation on work or stressors during leisure time
increased negativity and feelings of frustration
a general lack of interest, drive and motivation
decreased job performance
lowered work and life satisfaction
sexual dysfunction
an increase in interpersonal troubles and social withdrawal
poor impulse control with regard to eating, sleeping and consumption of alcohol or stimulants

Prevention and Remedy: Things You Can Do About Burnout

Outside of pharmaceutical treatments and natural supplements, the generally accepted antidote for burnout is much the same as the preventative measures one may use to avoid it. A combination of lifestyle changes and behavioral interventions can help to curb the symptoms of burnout:

Be sure to get plenty of good quality sleep.
Manage time effectively by staying organized and setting goals and priorities.
Make ample time for relaxation and play.
Devote time to learning and personal growth.
Develop your support network of friends and family.
Delegate tasks to others when things are too much.
Find rewarding passions, challenges and hobbies unrelated to work.
Known when to turn off your phone and email.
Always pay attention to what your body is telling you.

Can Probiotics Protect Against Stress?

Jun 18 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

A new study adds to growing evidence confirming that probiotics can protect against stress. Researchers are studying the application of a type of good bacteria that, if successful in human trials, may result in a probiotic-based immunization to battle mood disorders such as anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Complex Link Between Gut Health and Mental Health

Over time, researchers have continued to focus their efforts on investigating the complex link between the brain and gut bacteria. In numerous studies, associations have been made between the trillions of bacteria within our digestive tracts and everything from metabolic function to mood regulation. Each new study adds to supporting evidence that our gut balance and mental health are integrally linked in a highly codependent relationship.

One study uncovered that a lack of gut bacteria altered areas of the brain associated with anxiety and depression. According to another study, disruption of gut microbial balance and the gut-brain axis has been shown to cause depression. Similarly, earlier research highlighted the fact that early life stresses altered the gut bacteria in a way that increased the risk of anxiety later in life.

The link between our guts and brains is also a two-way relationship. While a lack of, or imbalance of, beneficial bacteria in the gut can increase stress, neuroinflammation, and possibly lead to mood disorders, increasing evidence has shown that stress also bears direct, harmful impacts upon gut bacteria balance.

Given all the evidence supporting this association between our emotional wellbeing and gut bacteria, scientists are investigating methods of adjusting gut bacteria in an effort to protect us from the effects of stress.

Mycobacterium Vaccae: Probiotics Protect Against Stress

In this newest study on gut bacteria, researchers from the University of Colorado at Boulder have built upon previous research investigating the soil-based bacterium, Mycobacterium vaccae, in which it was found that mice that were inoculated with the bacteria experienced less inflammation and presented fewer symptoms of anxiety.

In their most recent work, the research team wanted to delve deeper into this good bacteria to uncover exactly how Mycobacterium vaccae affects the brain. In order to do so, researchers injected male rats with the beneficial bacteria once a week for three weeks and took measurements of the proteins in the brain. Two major findings stood out:

The team discovered that a week after the last treatment, the inoculated rats possessed significantly higher levels of a particular anti-inflammatory protein referred to as interleukin-4 in the hippocampal region of the brain. The hippocampus plays a key role in learning and memory. An integral part of the limbic system, one of the roles of the hippocampus is the regulation of anxiety and fear responses.
In addition to increasing anti-inflammatory proteins, the researchers found that when the inoculated rats were placed into a stressful situation, the Mycobacterium vaccae bacteria decreased levels of HMGB1, a stress-induced protein that sensitizes the brain to inflammation, and increased levels of CD200R1, a receptor that preserves the anti-inflammatory state of the brain’s immune cells.

“We found that in rodents this particular bacterium, Mycobacterium vaccae, actually shifts the environment in the brain toward an anti-inflammatory state. If you could do that in people, it could have broad implications for a number of neuroinflammatory diseases,” Dr. Matthew Frank, lead author of the study and senior research associate in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at CU Boulder, said in a statement.

Stress-related mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD affects one out of every four people at least once in their lives. Strong supporting evidence suggests that these stress-related disorders are at least partially caused by inflammation. “There is a robust literature that shows if you induce an inflammatory immune response in people, they quickly show signs of depression and anxiety. Just think about how you feel when you get the flu,” added Dr. Frank.

Senior study author Christopher A. Lowry, Ph.D., associate professor of integrative physiology at CU Boulder, has been studying Mycobacterium vaccae for 17 years. He explains that their findings help further illuminate the link between probiotics and mood disorders, exhibiting that probiotics help protect against stress. According to Dr. Lowry, “if you look at the field of probiotics generally, they have been shown to have strong effects in the domains of cognitive function, anxiety and fear. This paper helps make sense of that by suggesting that these beneficial microbes, or signals derived from these microbes, somehow make their way to the hippocampus, inducing an anti-inflammatory state.”

While the Mycobacterium vaccae injections have yet to see human trials, the team is hopeful that a similar method of treatment will soon be available to those at risk of developing these inflammation-induced mood disorders. “More research is necessary, but it’s possible that other strains of beneficial bacteria or probiotics may have a similar effect on the brain,” said Dr. Lowry.

Their findings have been published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.

How to Recognize the Telltale Signs of Burnout Before it’s Too Late

Jan 22 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Modern people may not be fighting lions and tigers, but we are under more stress than ever. From job-related stress to long commutes to balancing the demands of family and personal life, many just have too much on their plate. According to many psychologists, this is leading to a disorder known as burn out, which can have dire consequences for psychological health, physical health and even career success. However, there are natural ways to prevent getting burned out and to restore our emotional and physical balance.

What Is Burnout?

Most people have experienced burn out to some degree, either in themselves or in coworkers. You begin to take less pride in your work and express cynical attitudes. Some people begin to depersonalize others, caring less about the person’s feelings and acting without consideration. Although everyone feels burned out at times, it is merely a short phase for most of us.

However, some people deal with it at toxic levels. The results are easily recognized. People who are burned out feel physically and emotionally exhausted, similar to depression. They have reduced feelings of accomplishment and often suffer from symptoms of depression, such as low mood and difficulty sleeping. They also become disengaged, showing less care for their work and more apathy toward their professional and personal commitments.

A Modern Occupational Hazard

The causes of burn out are diverse, but it usually stems from one main factor: occupational stress. The disorder was first identified by a psychologist who observed the effects in staff and volunteers at a clinic for drug addicts. Other professionals have noticed it in teachers, social workers and health professionals. A variety of jobs can cause workers to become burned out, but they all have one key factor in common: long-term stress that cannot be resolved. Unfortunately, this is extremely common in many modern careers.

According to research, physicians are particularly at risk of becoming burned out. Modern doctors often face chaotic environments along with high levels of responsibility over outcomes that they cannot entirely control. They increasingly are saddled with growing amounts of documentation as well as nearly unbearable student loan debt. When you combine these factors with long work hours that can prevent recharging, it is not surprising that up to 75 percent of physicians and medical residents are burned out. However, this trend is not limited to medicine. Many jobs present similar stresses to varying degrees, with similar results. The lack of time to recharge appears to be particularly important. Believe it or not, it is likely that many people are suffering from the symptoms of this disorder without even realizing it.

Burnout Warning Signs to Watch For

Are you suffering from burnout? Here are a few of the warning signs of this common disorder:

physical fatigue
a feeling of cynicism and pessimism
disengagement from issues and activities that were once engaging
a sense of ineffectiveness, that nothing you do will make a difference
taking less pride in one’s work
acting rude or uncaring to coworkers and loved ones
insomnia and other sleep disorders
difficulty concentrating
getting sick more often than usual
vague physical symptoms such as stomach aches and head aches
negative emotions such as anger, depression and anxiety
poor performance and/or low productivity

If these symptoms begin interfering with one’s daily life, it is important to take action quickly. There are natural, healthy ways of treating burn out and restoring both pride and a sense of accomplishment.

Keeping Your Stress Levels Low, Naturally

Are you or a loved one at risk of becoming burned out? There are several things you can do to maintain work-life balance. First and most importantly, avoid the modern trend of incorporating work into your daily life. Although modern jobs encourage 24/7 availability, activities such as checking emails at home can increase burn out by keeping people from having the space to recharge. This may be the number one factor in burning workers out.

Second, it is important to take good care of oneself. Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and get enough sleep at night. Take time to exercise and spend time with loved ones. Consider taking up new hobbies that help you unwind, whether yoga or skydiving. Last, make sure your body has the nutrients that it needs to work well even under pressure. Your body needs a wide range of vitamins, amino acids, and other building blocks to keep up with your lifestyle. B vitamins, for example, help your body to continue producing energy even under stress. Glutathione is important for producing mood-boosting neurotransmitters such as serotonin.

Stressful jobs are often the most rewarding. However, it is important to maintain good health and avoid becoming burned out. Taking good care of your psychological and physiological health will ensure that you can continue feeling rewarded and engaged with your career for a lifetime.