The World Health Organization defines burnout as;
“Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
- feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
- increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and
- reduced professional efficacy.
Although burnout originally defined as a syndrome associated specifically within the workplace, the global pandemic has seen it spill into may aspects of life.
The topic of treatment of burnout is huge a requires support in many aspects of life. The treatment of burnout should include mental health support, lifestyle techniques, community supports as well as what many of my patients seek, natural medicine support.
Vitamin C has been a shining start throughout this pandemic notably for its immune system benefits.
Vitamin C also plays a significant role in burnout as a factor that helps to decrease the output of cortisol (our body’s stress hormone). In other words vitamin c puts the breaks on stress. Dosage is important and in many cases levels are above what can be achieved through food alone.
Burnout does overlap with many other syndromes and medical conditions; depression/anxiety, thyroid disease, perimenopause, insulin resistance, sleep apnea and many more.
If you think you think you might be suffering from burnout reach out to someone on your health care team to discuss an individualize approach to recovery.