Stressed? Here's a word of support from the Canadian Frontline Nurses
COMBATING BURNOUT
There aren’t enough words to explain these last two years! We are now entering our third summer since March 2020. This time in an interim state, where it feels like there’s a little bit of breathing space, but still fully knowing this isn’t the end.
We’ve fought, cried, laughed, lost loved ones, felt the agony as relationships and families were torn apart. We’ve felt all spectrums of emotions the last two years, as we watched it all come to a head this past winter in Ottawa.
As events and political motions continue, many might be feeling exhaustion set in. Exhausted from the fight, the negativity, what feels like the never-ending upward battle, and discussing the same issues often leading us in circles. Maybe this is just me feeling this way, or maybe you’re also feeling it, and it's ok! This is normal and expected.
We’ve been in fight or flight for so long, pumping out constant cortisol, our stress hormone and giving our adrenals quite the workout. Maybe like me, you’ve noticed weight gain on your hips, buttocks, thighs - the areas ofstress that the adrenals store fat, to help fuel the internal fight. Might be having irregular sleeping patterns, changes in appetite (especially craving more salt), feeling of melancholy and even a lack of motivation or energy to keep up in the morning. These are all signs your adrenals are becoming fatigued and also that your liver is compensating and going in overdrive to help detox excess hormones.
It’s important to acknowledge these changes in our physical body as well as mood and behaviour. Our body is trying to speak to us and it’s important that we listen. Full blown adrenal fatigue is hard to recover from and can take years to get your body back in balance.
There are things you can do, to help come back into balance and start to repair and restore your being:
1. Take a break. This does not mean giving up, this does not mean you don’t care - it means you are putting your own health first and making it a priority. We know this is a marathon not a sprint and we all want to make sure we arrive at the finish line. This means turning off the news, taking a social media break or a social media detox.
2. Create solutions. These are actions you can take for yourself in your home, allowing you to have control, when so much feels outside of our control. Focus on things you can change around you - your heart, home and community. Learn a new skill, get outside and spend time in nature. Find a mind community. Look for ways that you personally can do to help you feel more self-sufficient.
3. Sleep. Your body will be in a weird sleeping pattern for a while as cortisol affects your melatonin. Get up in the morning and look at the morning light. The sun will help nourish your being while helping restore your circadian rhythm. Sleep when you're tired (have a power nap). No screens before bed. And try not to over caffeinate to keep yourself up when you feel like crashing in the afternoon.
4. Gratitude. Focus on positivity. The things you are grateful for. Write down five things in the morning when you wake up and five things when you go to bed. In times of challenges, gratitude is most important. This helps to change our outlook on the world but also changes what we attract into our life, meaning we’ll start to see more beauty and magic around us amidst the chaos.
5. Herbs. You can support your adrenals with herbs and adaptogens such as medicinal mushrooms. My favourite adrenal support is borage in a tincture form. Known for its bright blue flowers and mood boosting properties when you look at it and consume it. Borage can be found in the wild, or at your local health food store. (Note this is not medical or herbal advice and you may need to consult with your practitioner introducing new herbs).
Above all, listen to your body and your heart, it never leads you astray. Know that whatever you are feeling is perfectly ok, allow time to feel it, to be uncomfortable, to sit in it, and move through it. Coming out on the other side stronger than before. Honour your time and allow this process to take as long as you personally need.
-- Kristen Nagle
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