Burnout & Stress
At The Goode Health Clinic, we work with individuals experiencing chronic stress, burnout, and the wide-ranging effects these can have on physical and mental health. Burnout is increasingly recognised as a significant health concern, particularly among high-performing professionals and those with demanding lifestyles. It goes beyond feeling tired or overwhelmed, often resulting in prolonged fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and a weakened immune system.
We assess stress and burnout through a comprehensive approach, looking at adrenal function (via cortisol and DHEA levels), nervous system balance (including vagal tone and heart rate variability), and markers of chronic inflammation. These provide valuable insights into how stress is impacting your body at a deeper level.
Root causes we commonly see in cases of burnout and chronic stress include adrenal dysregulation, chronic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, poor sleep quality, and unresolved emotional or physical stressors. By addressing these factors, we help you restore energy, resilience, and overall well-being.
The Stages of Burnout & Stress
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The Honeymoon Phase:
In the initial stage, high levels of motivation and enthusiasm often mask the early signs of stress. This is common in individuals passionate about their work or responsibilities. While you may feel driven and productive, there’s often an underlying tendency to overcommit, neglect self-care, or push through minor stressors. Over time, this can set the stage for imbalance.
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Impact of Stress:
As stress builds, you may begin to notice subtle changes. Symptoms like irritability, reduced focus, mild fatigue, and difficulty sleeping often emerge. During this phase, you might feel that you’re struggling to keep up with demands, but may dismiss these signs as temporary or manageable. Left unaddressed, stress continues to accumulate, tipping the body into deeper dysregulation.
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Chronic Stress:
At this stage, stress becomes persistent and harder to ignore. Physical symptoms such as frequent headaches, digestive issues, muscle tension, or exhaustion often appear. Emotional symptoms, including anxiety, frustration, or a sense of detachment, may also take hold. Productivity may decline, and even basic tasks can feel overwhelming. This is often the turning point where the body’s stress response system becomes depleted.
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Burnout
Full-blown burnout, with severe physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. Common signs include extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest, feelings of helplessness or cynicism, and difficulty performing even routine tasks. Immune function often weakens, leading to frequent illness or onset & flare-ups of chronic conditions. Recovery requires intentional, long-term intervention to rebuild energy reserves and restore balance.
Burnout Symptoms
Symptoms are wide ranging and increase based on the stage you are at and how long you have continued to push through. There are physical and emotional symptoms…
Chronic fatigue or exhaustion, even after rest
Headaches or migraines
Muscle tension or aches
Digestive issues, such as bloating, nausea, or irritable bowel symptoms
Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or unrefreshing sleep)
Rapid heartbeat or chest tightness
Frequent colds or infections due to weakened immunity
Changes in appetite (overeating or loss of appetite)
Weight changes (gain or loss)
Hair thinning or loss
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions (brain fog)
PHYSICAL…
Anxiety or a constant sense of worry
Irritability or frequent mood swings
Feelings of overwhelm, helplessness, or hopelessness
Low motivation or interest in activities previously enjoyed
Cynicism or detachment, particularly related to work or responsibilities
Decreased sense of accomplishment or self-worth
Procrastination or avoidance of responsibilities
Withdrawal from social interactions or support systems
Increased reliance on caffeine, alcohol, or other stimulants
Reduced productivity or inconsistent work performance
Poor time management or feeling unable to prioritise tasks
Neglecting self-care routines (exercise, nutrition, hobbies)
Emotional outbursts or difficulty controlling emotions
EMOTIONAL…
Conventional treatment for burnout & stress.
Conventional treatment for burnout often involves prescribing anti-anxiety medications or beta blockers to manage symptoms.
The biggest misconceptions with burnout & stress.
“Stress is just part of a busy life and burnout means you’re not strong enough.”
Many people believe that stress is an inevitable part of success, and that burnout only affects those who can’t handle pressure. This misconception minimises the profound physiological and emotional impact of chronic stress. Burnout isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s the body’s way of signalling that it’s overwhelmed and depleted. High-performing individuals are particularly susceptible because they often ignore early warning signs, believing they can push through.
“Stress only affects your mind, not your body.”
Stress and burnout are often seen as mental health issues, but their impact extends far beyond the brain. Chronic stress disrupts hormonal balance, weakens the immune system, and impairs digestion and cardiovascular health. Over time, this can lead to serious conditions, including autoimmune diseases, heart problems, and chronic fatigue. Ignoring the physical toll of stress perpetuates the myth that managing it is solely about mental resilience.
“If you’re not busy all the time, you’re not being productive.”
This misconception fuels the “hustle culture,” where constant busyness is equated with success. However, being perpetually “on” leads to diminishing returns in productivity and creativity. Chronic stress hampers cognitive function, decision-making, and emotional regulation, making it harder to perform at your best. True productivity requires balance, rest, and recovery.
“Only work-related stress causes burnout.”
While work is a common source of stress, burnout can result from various pressures, including caregiving, financial struggles, or health issues. It’s not confined to a specific environment or activity—it’s the result of prolonged stress from any source that depletes your energy and resilience. This narrow view of burnout can delay recognition and proper intervention.
Burnout & Stress Testing
In conventional medicine burnout and stress are often overlooked and misunderstood, testing is limited, usually consisting of basic blood work or mental health assessment:
Basic blood work (CBC, metabolic panel): To check for anaemia, electrolyte imbalances, or other general health markers.
Blood pressure monitoring: To assess cardiovascular effects of stress.
Mental health assessments: Questionnaires or interviews to diagnose anxiety or depression, often leading to medication recommendations.
By coming to us and taking a functional medicine approach you get a holistic, proactive, root cause plan and have access to a wide variety of testing using UK, Europe and American testing labs, including some or all of the following:
Adrenal function testing : To evaluate the body’s stress response and identify adrenal imbalances.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV): To assess autonomic nervous system balance and vagal tone.
Comprehensive hormone panel: To check levels of sex hormones (oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone) and the relationship to stress.
Comprehensive nutrient testing: To identify deficiencies in key nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, zinc, and vitamin D, which are often depleted during chronic stress.
Inflammation markers (CRP, homocysteine): To detect chronic systemic inflammation that may result from prolonged stress.
Mitochondrial function testing: To assess cellular energy production, often impaired in burnout.
Comprehensive stool analysis: To evaluate gut health, including microbiome balance, intestinal permeability (leaky gut), and inflammation, which can be affected by stress.
Oxidative stress markers: To measure free radical damage and antioxidant capacity, revealing how stress impacts cellular health.
Neurotransmitter testing: To assess levels of serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and other brain chemicals involved in mood and stress regulation.
Nutrigenomics and genetic testing: To explore genetic predispositions affecting stress response, nutrient metabolism, detoxification pathways, and susceptibility to burnout.
Take a functional approach:
Root Causes
Burnout often involves underlying issues like adrenal dysregulation, chronic inflammation, or nutrient deficiencies that need to be addressed. Without tackling the root causes, symptoms are likely to return, leaving individuals stuck in a cycle of stress and exhaustion. Burnout and chronic stress are often driven by a combination of lifestyle, physiological, and environmental factors. Identifying and addressing these root causes is essential for lasting recovery and resilience. Common root causes include:
Chronic Stress Overload:
Prolonged exposure to high stress levels from work, caregiving, or personal responsibilities can overwhelm the body's ability to cope. This persistent activation of the stress response can lead to adrenal dysregulation and systemic imbalances.Adrenal Dysfunction:
Burnout is often linked to dysregulated cortisol production, either as elevated levels (early-stage stress) or depleted levels (later-stage burnout), impairing the body's ability to manage stress effectively.Poor Sleep Quality:
Inadequate or disrupted sleep reduces the body's ability to repair and recover from stress, contributing to fatigue and impaired cognitive function.Nutrient Deficiencies:
Chronic stress depletes key nutrients such as magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which are essential for energy production and nervous system function.Gut Health Imbalances:
Stress significantly impacts gut function, often leading to dysbiosis (imbalance in gut bacteria), leaky gut, and reduced nutrient absorption, all of which can exacerbate fatigue and inflammation.Inflammation and Oxidative Stress:
Chronic stress increases inflammatory markers and oxidative damage in the body, contributing to cellular dysfunction and poor energy production.Mitochondrial Dysfunction:
Burnout can impair mitochondrial function, reducing the body’s ability to produce energy at the cellular level and leading to persistent fatigue.Hormonal Imbalances:
Stress disrupts the balance of hormones like cortisol, insulin, and thyroid hormones, which can further compound fatigue, mood changes, and metabolic issues.Environmental Toxins:
Exposure to toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, and endocrine disruptors can burden the body’s detoxification systems, amplifying stress and fatigue.Unresolved Emotional or Psychological Stress:
Emotional traumas, unresolved anxiety, or ongoing psychological pressures can prolong the stress response, making recovery difficult.
By addressing these root causes, functional medicine provides a comprehensive and personalised approach to restoring optimal health and overall well-being.
How The Goode Health Clinic supports burnout & stress?
Our Optimal Health Clinic supports patients with burnout and stress conditions. We dig deep into your root causes to help your body find balance and bring you back to the optimal version of you.