Understanding Burnout: Navigating the 4 Stages and Crucial Symptoms to Watch Out For
Hey Friends, Amy Kapeller here! Welcome to my blog on the stages of what I refer to as “hormonal burnout”. This information will help you become aware of where YOU are at on the stress curve so you can take intentional action to bring yourself back BEFORE you hit a place of full hormonal burnout!
What is “Hormonal Burnout”?
To start with, it’s important to understand that not ALL stress is "bad" or will lead to a state of burnout. Your body actually NEEDS stress from time to time to keep you alive.
The problem arises when we have TOO MUCH STRESS in comparison to our body/ mind capacity to manage that stress. When this load of stressors exceeds that capacity, the nervous system becomes stuck in an over-active state- resulting in major imbalances in cortisol levels, metabolic health, gut health, and hormonal health.
Basically, we hit the path of “hormonal burnout” - hormonal imbalances / symptoms with a root cause of STRESS.
NOTE: Stress doesn't only come from external sources such as finances, relationships, work deadlines, and busy lives. INTERNAL stress is often a large part of hormonal burnout. Internal stress includes imbalances internally in the body (poor gut health, blood sugar dysregulation, nutrient deficiencies, toxic overload, lack of sleep, chronic inflammation, and the list goes on!)
Where are YOU on the burnout path?
To keep it simple, burnout often comes in 4 main stages which may leave you with any of the following most common symptoms:
Exhaustion / Fatigue
Memory Issues/ Brain Fog
Anxiety / Low Mood/ Mood Swings
Excess inflammation/ Puffiness
Muscle/ Joint Pain + Tension
Insomnia/ Poor Sleep
Headaches
Bowel Irregularities
Bloating, Hormonal Changes + Symptoms
Unusual Changes in Body Composition.
Catch colds easily
Can't ever get enough sleep
Have a hard time staying focused
Experience extra sensitivity to cold
Have poor recovery from exercise.
Does this sound like YOU? These are all signs that your adrenals are struggling + need a little extra support & trust me, you want to address this BEFORE you hit complete burnout!
But in order to reverse these symptoms + begin balancing your hormonal health, energy levels, and moods you first have to understand WHAT stage of hormonal burnout you are currently experiencing. So, let’s dive in!
Navigating the 4 Stages and Crucial Symptoms to Look Out For in Hormonal Burnout
Stage 1: SUPERWOMAN
Feeling unstoppable
“I can do all the things!”
Go, go, go , do , do , do
Stage 2: STRESSED
Wired & tired
Anxious
Irritable
Overwhelmed / stressed
Racing mind
Heightened
Midsection weight gain
Insomnia
Stage 3: TIRED
Exhausted / tired
Libido disappears
Stress becomes too much
Energy crashes / highs
Waking between 3-4 am
Snappy / moody
Increased PMS symptoms
Stage 4: BURNT
Exhausted
“So tired I can’t function”
Never enough sleep
Lacking motivation / drive
Difficulty sleeping
Low hormone levels (often)
Do your most common symptoms resonate with any of these stages?
Hormonal burnout is something I’ve not only experienced myself but I am seeing it more + more often in women that come into my practice.
Hormonal imbalances, period problems, thyroid imbalances, and infertility DIRECTLY relate to overworked adrenals, HPA Axis dysregulation, or simply too much stress (internally and/or externally).
“Hustle culture”(life in general) puts A LOT of pressure on each and every one of us. Women are wearing all the hats, playing all the roles, pushing through daily, and putting unrealistic amounts of pressure on themselves to push harder, keep up, and do more.
Women are NOT designed to operate at full capacity day after day. And pushing yourself to do so, is taking a toll on your nervous system, hormones, and health as a whole.
The good news? There are many intentional but sustainable nutrition + lifestyle practices that can help you get back to feeling like YOURSELF regardless of where you lie on the "burnout" spectrum.
Remember, Your body is always sending you messages + communicating with you. Understanding what these symptoms mean allows you to take the action YOUR body needs.
If you feel like stress is taking over your life and you are silently reaching burnout, reach out to me.. I know first hand what this feels like and I would love to support you.
Nourished Woman’s Protocol Root Cause Women’s Health
Not sure what option is best for YOU? Book a FREE Women’s Health Discovery Call & let’s chat more!
XO,
Amy K.
Connect with me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unbridledholistichealth/
