Do you feel like a shadow of your former energetic self? Is your motivation barely there, leaving you running on empty? If so, you might be experiencing burnout. Burnout is a comprehensive state of physical and emotional exhaustion that can make it difficult to find joy in even the smallest things. If you’re also experiencing feelings of hopelessness or despair, it’s important to understand more about burnout and its potential impact on your life.
While burnout is often associated with the adrenal glands, recent discussions have focused on the hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal axis (HPA Axis), which is responsible for hormonal regulation. Burnout manifests as a combination of symptoms affecting various systems in the body, such as the brain (depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue), digestive system (irritable bowel syndrome, dysbiosis), and cardiovascular system (heart disease, obesity). The prolonged stress, worry, and uncertainty that many have endured in recent years have made burnout more prevalent than ever before. In addition to external factors, physiological contributors to burnout include blood sugar fluctuations, sleep disturbances, and inflammation.
In this episode of EAT THIS with Lianne, we explore burnout in-depth. We discuss how to recognize if you’re experiencing burnout, including its symptoms and potential tests for diagnosis. We also delve into the reasons behind the growing prevalence of burnout and what you can do to address it.
It’s essential to consult with your doctor regarding any medical concerns mentioned here or ones that you personally have. While social media is filled with tips on how to address burnout, it’s crucial to understand the underlying causes and take intentional steps to recover. Our guest, Dr. Tara Campbell, a Naturopathic Doctor, specializes in supporting patients dealing with burnout. We’re excited to learn more from her about burnout and how she helps her clients.
During the conversation, we cover various aspects, including:
- Dr. Tara’s background as a Naturopathic Doctor and her experience in treating burnout.
- The meaning and implications of burnout.
- The factors contributing to the widespread occurrence of burnout today.
- The physiological and emotional indicators of burnout and how to recognize them in oneself or loved ones.
- Strategies and solutions for dealing with burnout.
On a lighter note, I loved that Dr. Tara did her homework and listened to episode 153 about saunas and cold plunges.
While Dr. Tara’s excitement for burnout is an opportunity for growth, as someone who has experienced burnout and witnessed its impact, I understand the contrasting perspectives on burnout as either an opportunity for personal growth or a concerning new normal. As I navigate my own recovery from burnout, coupled with the challenges of perimenopause, I’ve learned the importance of taking each moment, breath, step, and meal mindfully. This episode serves as a starting point for those looking to understand burnout, initiate positive changes, and embrace a life filled with hope and joy.
Let’s talk about some supplements that I have relied on as a foundation to support my body that is using up more than is going in.
- Let’s start with Magnesium BisGlycinate with Taurine – I recall Dr. B saying that we can burn through magnesium in an hour, so at times, that one capsule here and there has made its way through your cells after a blink or five. I’ve taken 400 mg at nighttime for a while now, and it truly knocks me out and has improved my sleep quality. I’d usually take 300 mg, but if I’m not sleeping, I increase it and have another one or two in the morning for energy. Sleep is a great place to start to heal your way from burnout. I add in Ashwagandha and cofactors by taking HPA Axis, two to three of those at bedtime, and two caps of Real Mushrooms capsules. (Use this link and EATTHIS for 15% off your order.)
- Crucial vitamins that are used during stress are vitamins C and B, which are water-soluble vitamins, so they go in, get used, and pee out what you don’t use, so taking extra daily is important. Your skin needs vitamin C to heal, so if you’re seeing slower wound healing, increase vitamin C. Liposome B Complex Liquid from Physica goes in my morning drink with Kid Boost/Skin Boost for superfoods (even more crucial if you’re not eating as well as you can), Alka C powder with minerals like zinc, and Liposome B Complex liquid. It’s like drinking coffee in terms of an energy boost but no crash. And if I’m slowing down, losing steam in the afternoon, I mix up another glass.
- Detoxification support and mitochondria support, as Dr. Tara mentioned, helped with the Co-EnzymeQ10 liquid that I take after breakfast along with NAC or N-Acetyl Cysteine, which is what your body uses to make Glutathione. If I feel particularly foggy in the morning, I also take Glutathione Liposome liquid once first thing in the morning and before bed.
- My Adult Boost and Bio Boost are worth a mention as Adult Boost has B vitamins if you’re someone who likes to take a multivitamin every day, that Adult Boost is for you. Bio Boost probiotic to support your microbiome as stress, booze, any medication, and a poor diet does not help to have a healthy gut. Bio Boost can support you while you clean things up and support your immune system, which chugs along at a snail’s pace during times of stress and burnout.
Some of what I’ve mentioned are what Dr. Tara has in her IV potion and more, and of course, she explained the benefit of IV therapy getting right into the cells. If you need a kick start, IV is the way to go, but what you do every day is also important and can have a huge impact.
Please know that you can take all the supplements you want, which seems like an easy fix, but if you don’t deal with what got you here and change that, you’re only going to get so far. Understanding your personality traits, if you’re an overthinker or someone who doesn’t stop (like me), then something has to change.
About our guest:
Dr. Tara Campbell, ND, is a registered Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and founder of Higher Health Naturopathic Centre & IV Lounge.
She graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) and Queen’s University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Health and Psychology. Dr. Tara enjoys seeing patients of all ages and has a special interest in hormone and neurotransmitter balance, chronic fatigue, immune health, digestion, weight and metabolic concerns, athletic performance, injury recovery, and pain management.
Using evidence-based medicine and naturopathic therapies, Dr. Tara educates and empowers her clients to achieve their Highest Health. She combines advanced assessment tools, clinical nutrition, IV vitamin therapy, botanical medicine, acupuncture, mindset, and lifestyle discussion in order to provide comprehensive, holistic health care.
Dr. Tara is an active member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) as well as the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND).
In her spare time, Dr. Tara enjoys cold plunging, active outdoor living, and quality time with family and friends. She is a past marathon runner and personal trainer, an Asthanga yoga student, a health foodie, a community connector, and a lover of waterfront, beach, boating and nature environments. Dr. Tara lives in Pickering, Ontario with her partner and now 4-year-old daughter.
Website: www.higherhealthcentre.com
Instagram:
- @drtaracnd
- @higherhealthcentre
Free resource: https://www.mitomakeover.com/
