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Stress is your response to an external cause or event. For example, you may feel stressed when you’re faced with a tough decision, a stressful email from a supervisor, or an argument with your partner.
When these things happen, your sympathetic nervous system (SNS)—AKA your “Fight-or-Flight” system—activates. This causes your mind and body to jump into action.
These physical sensations and reactions are normal and are often manageable at lower levels. Believe it or not, there is a type of stress called “optimal stress” that is really good for you. You also can’t have a flow state with some SNS arousal. Our stress response can even be leveraged when physical effort is required to optimize human performance.
In certain contexts outside of ones we are excited about or interested in, these stress reactions can be really uncomfortable. Typically, especially if the stimulus is external, they go away when the external threat is removed or the stressful situation is resolved.
So, the belief that stress is ALWAYS bad for you has thousands of years of evolution to call BS. You are not descended from people who were never stressed, lying on their stone sofas, just waiting for warring tribes to invade or fierce animals to pounce. We are the descendants of the ones who are worried and stressed out about threats.
Sometimes, you are able to manage your stress by using coping techniques and leveraging resources. For example, you might practice deep breathing, grounding, or exercise to cope with high levels of stress. (We love teaching clients how they can lower their heart rate through certain types of breathing). You can increase exercise or time spent in meaningful relationships or activities.
Stress becomes a problem when your reaction to these events becomes too intense, or the quality of the stressor outstrips your coping abilities and resources. Living in constant stress is not normal, and it’s not something you should have to live with, no matter what work or society says.
Prolonged stress can lead to anxiety, depression, or burnout, which are things that many professionals experience.
At Momentum Psychology, our team of therapists understands this cycle of stress and burnout and we are here to offer support in order to overcome and manage these issues.
Over-engagement: Attempting to take on more than you can handle (workaholism)
Overreacting in emotional situations
Feeling like everything has to be done right away or being hyper-focused on a task
Loss of energy
Weakened immune system, headaches, muscle tension, and stomachaches
Symptoms of anxiety
Distancing yourself from your troubles
Downplaying the issues
More likely to under-react to emotionally charged situations (check out/space out)
Feeling helpless or stuck: you feel like you can’t do anything so why try?
Loss of motivation and low activity levels
Psychological and social difficulties become noticeable
Symptoms of depression
Although the ICD-11 has limited its definition to work-related burnout, the research literature recognizes more types of burnout:
Another common type of burnout in the literature is caregiver burnout.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, caregiver burnout is: “A state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. It may be accompanied by a change in attitude from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned. Burnout can occur when caregivers don’t get the help they need, or if they try to do more than they are able, physically or financially.”
Another common type of burnout in the literature is caregiver burnout.
A recent article defined parental burnout as a “state of intense exhaustion related to one’s parental role, in which one becomes emotionally detached from one’s children and doubtful of one’s capacity to be a good parent.”
physical and emotional exhaustion
a reduced sense of accomplishment related to one’s goals in training and competition
a loss of interest and care for sport(s)
The Harvard Business Review’s helpful Guide to Beating Burnout lists the following risk factors for work-related burnout:
Identifying strongly with work – lack of balance between work/personal life.
Working in a helping profession and/or doing “purpose-driven work” (healthcare, teachers, nurses, nonprofit employees, mission-driven executives)
High workload
Rewards don’t match effort.
Values mismatch
Unfair/inequitable treatment
Feeling that you have little or no control over your work
Trying to be everything to everyone
High standards/perfectionism
Unsupportive community
Anyone passionate about what they do, especially high performers
Groups with high stress due to other situational factors – people of color, women, etc.
Working parents
Overcoming your troubles with chronic stress and burnout is possible. You can learn tools to minimize your stress and get back to enjoying your professional life again.
Intervening before you have more serious problems at home, work, or school
Learning how to difficult thoughts and feelings effectively
Troubleshooting and overcoming self-destructive habits
Increasing your sense of confidence and competence
Improving your attention so you can focus on what matters most to you and stop worrying about the things that don’t
Learning to say “no” to requests or obligations that cause you to stress and don’t align with your personal goals and values
Stress and Burnout are two issues that often go hand in hand. While we all experience stress, when it becomes unmanageable it can lead to burnout which can cause numerous complications at both work and home. At Momentum Psychology our skilled team of therapists understands this vicious cycle perpetuated by stress and is here to help you work towards reaching your full potential professionally and personally. We utilize evidence-based treatment methods that include ACT, DBT, CBT, and Trauma-Informed Practices.
We currently offer online Burnout and Stress Therapy in North Carolina and all PSYPACT states including, but not limited to North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and Georgia.
If you are ready to take control of your life and build Momentum moving forward to a bright future, follow the steps below to get started.
Get to know more about our skilled team of therapists here.
Fill out our convenient online contact form.
Schedule an intake appointment with our available therapists, Dr. William Hasek and Dr. Ashley Norwood (Dr. Newman currently has a lengthy waitlist)
Begin the journey to regaining control of your life
As well as having extensive training and experience in the treatment of burnout and stress-related issues, our team of therapists also offers a wide variety of online therapy services in North Carolina and all Psypact States. We work with lawyers, entrepreneurs, students, parents, and teens who are dealing with ADHD, trauma and loss, anxiety and panic, depression, and life transitions. We also offer SPACE, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions. Our goal is to help you find success both professionally and personally so you can gain Momentum to excel in a bright future.
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