From Burnout To Balance: How I Recovered My Nervous System

“In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if you feel 'burnout' setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself. The point is to have a long-term perspective.” - Dalai Lama

Where have I been?

Well, half way through July I broke my ankle. Soon after I ran a workshop that came out of an epiphany; helping women with autoimmune diseases & chronic pain transmute their stories. I mean I even cried when I came up with the idea. It was an amazing workshop. And then, I crashed. I crashed hard & felt like every moment of my life was a fight to make it to the next day. So, I disappeared from my business. I was home for the summer with my kids & I couldn't take them anywhere, we couldn't have "the summer of our lives" because I went & broke my ankle.

With that said, I am finally on the other side and slowly starting to feel like myself. Here's what I learned about nervous system burnout...

1. What even happens to your body?

Burnout triggers an overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's fight-or-flight response. This leads to increased levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, being released into the bloodstream. When your body is constantly in fight-or-flight mode it makes it harder to respond to future stressors, makes it hard to fall asleep, feels like you are in a constant anxious state, and can cause a weakened immune system.

2. You can't just "get over it"...

For a while I tried to just, move on. But, it wasn't working. Then, I thought something was just really wrong with me. How could a few tough situations do this? I didn't want to do ANYTHING but lay there & focus on getting my ankle better. Laying there felt easiest & functioning was so exhausting. I was constantly anxious, in freeze mode, or flop (disassociation). It took several people, many different times, telling me, "Maybe you should just get through the summer & start your business back up once the kids are in school." for me to actually listen. Because burnout has a domino effect on the rest of your brain & body, it takes time to get out of it.

3. Patience is KEY

Like I said, I broke my ankle in mid-July. I'd wake up every morning hoping I'd feel like working on something, anything inside Rova Holistics. I felt numb. I would meditate, ice/heat my ankle, increased protein, started homeopathic remedies, hang out with my kids, & repeat. It took so much longer than I expected to even be able to drive after breaking my ankle, let alone walk around. I was confined to my room & that didn't help. The more I focused on my ankle, attended networking events when I could, & continued to show up for myself via meditation, breathwork, journaling, & care, the better I started to feel. But I couldn't rush it.

4. Ways to regulate your nervous system:

• Light exercise - this could mean, a walk up & down your driveway or stairs, small weights, stretching. It relieves stress & is health for your brain.

• Sleep...like your life depends on it!

• Meditation - I love the Insight Timer App or even Spotify

• Deep Breathing - Breathing in through your nose for 5 counts & out for 10 counts

• Self-Care - this can look like a nutritious meal, mindfully creating your day, hydrating yourself, a massage, & however else CARE can look like for you

• Physiological Sigh - two short inhales followed by a long exhale (I find it helpful to let out an audible sigh. It can be as quiet, loud, aggressive, or soothing as you need)

• Weighted Blanket - If you don't have one, create one with multiple blankets, pillows, etc.

How are things now?

The ankle isn't 100% & I haven't been full throttle in my business. BUT, I am sitting here writing this, getting ready to create my first email/newsletter in almost 2 months, & I am creating time weekly to work on my business. So, I am getting there. I tell my ADHD coaching clients pretty much weekly, "progress over perfection" & I think that is key. I know big things are on their way & I think it's about time I let them happen!