What is Burnout?

The World Health Organization defines burnout as a syndrome that occurs as a result of chronic workplace stress, especially when this stress is not well managed. It is characterized by three main stages: The three stages of burnout:
Stage1️⃣ Stress Arousal:  Irritability • Anxiety • Bruxism (grinding teeth at night) • Insomnia • Forgetfulness/poor concentration • Gastro-intestinal disorders • Headaches

Stage2️⃣ Energy Conservation:  Lateness • Procrastination/turning work in late • Excessive time off • Sexual dysfunction • Fatigue

Stage3️⃣ Exhaustion:  Chronic sadness/depression • Chronic headaches • Social isolation

But burnout can cause a deeper, more internal crisis, often forming as a result of not living the truest version of yourself, of not living as the person who you truly are but hiding behind a mask. Constantly suppressing your true nature, constantly denying yourself the things that make you happy cost your body and mind a lot of energy. It causes your batteries to empty, your holistic system to disconnect, and your mind-body-soul dynamic to become out of sync. Further consequences of chronic stress and self-neglect can lead to major depression, adrenal fatigue, hormonal imbalances, thyroid dysfunction and others.