The second part in our Stress Awareness Month series is all about physical symptoms. Last week, we discussed apathy and anhedonia: lacking motivation or ability to derive pleasure from something you once enjoyed. But stress doesn’t just change our behaviour, it can affect our bodies, too. So, let’s explore the physical signs of stress and learn how to take action and prevent burnout.
Identify & Act
When we become stressed, our bodies begin to send signals. And that always happens; it’s an instinctive hormonal response. However, we are either extremely good at ignoring them, or unaware of what they are. As a result, inability to identify or act on these signs means our bodies will resort to taking more extreme measures. Imagine it’s going to say, “Okay, you’ve not recognised the brain fog or the jumbled thoughts, so here’s some fatigue to slow you down.”. And that’s just one example of the physical signs of stress.
Physical Symptoms
It’s important to point out when I use the word ‘fatigue’, I’m not referring to circumstantial tiredness: you’ve had a late night or been travelling. Simply put, that is a consequence of having a late night or travelling. I mean a deep-seated tiredness that you can’t put down to a consequence, and have felt for some time. A general fatigue, heaviness, weight in the bones – whatever you might call it – could be a physical sign of stress. And this is your body’s way of telling you that you’re heading towards burnout, and need to recover. There are other unexplained aches and pains that could also be indicators of stress; for instance, headaches, low back pain and indigestion. And, if left untreated, these could lead to burnout or even more severe health problems. Read more about the physical symptoms here.
Burnout Prevention
The WHO defines burnout as a syndrome caused by excessive amounts of stress and failure to properly manage it. But in order to do so, we must be able to recognise the signs. Psychologists Gail North and Herbert Freudenberger define burnout in 12 stages. At Bodyshot, we took those 12 stages and created a helpful resource, the 12 Stages of Burnout.
It’s so important to pay attention to the physical signs of stress, and prioritise deliberate rest. Take a look at what you’ve got going on, and think about how you are going to recover. We’ve shared a lot of tips on how to do this over the years, which you can access using the search bar. And remember, if you are feeling burned out or are suffering the effects of stress, you don’t have to go through it alone – please reach out to someone.
Webinar – BOND: How to create a culture of belonging and connection in your teams (in the age of AI)
Our next webinar, BOND: How to create a culture of belonging and connection in your teams (in the age of AI), at 1pm on Wednesday 24th April.
Social connections and a sense of belonging play a pivotal role in promoting human health and overall wellbeing, and therefore boost creativity, innovative thinking and performance. By fostering social connections and a sense of belonging, we not only enhance our mental and emotional wellbeing but also strengthen our physical health, ultimately contributing to a longer and more fulfilling life.
Find out more and sign up now to secure your free place.
Wellbeing Resources
The Cadence Wellbeing Scorecard is a new tool that helps you assess and track your progress in achieving work-life balance, managing energy and improving overall wellbeing. By regularly taking the Cadence Wellbeing Scorecard, you can gain insights into areas of your life that may need improvement, identify patterns and trends over time, and set realistic goals for making positive changes.
In the bestselling book Rise and Shine, Leanne Spencer shares her expertise and experience to show you how to spot the signs of professional burnout, recover, and go on to enjoy a happier, healthier life and career.
