Stress can manifest itself mentally, emotionally, and even physically in our bodies. Overtime, unrelenting worry, tension, and anxiety can cause one of the biggest threats to our overall health profile: brain burnout. While technically not the medical term, brain burnout is a disorder recognized by many mainstream practitioners on a global scale, officially earning its own ICD code (categorized as burn-out state of vital exhaustion).
When left untreated, overwhelming situational stressors in our lives can have a long-term, negative impact on holistic wellness. A recent study conducted by psychological scientists at Karolinska Institute in Sweden demonstrated evidence that chronic burnout can diminish an individual’s ability to recover from negative circumstances, leading to more stress. Worse yet, the report also indicated that constant anxiety might actually alter the brain’s neural circuits.
The Benefits of Giving Yourself a Break
If you’re caught in a vicious stress cycle, taking a break is vital. Giving yourself permission to unplug and recover can help you:
1) Counteract Decision-Fatigue
A burned-out brain is an exhausted brain. You may find yourself unable to perform even the most basic tasks in your routine. Taking a break allows your mind to rest, reset, and begin to react appropriately to your daily schedule.
2) Enhance Physical and Emotional Wellness
A mental break allows you to enjoy activities that boost physical and emotional wellness. Getting up and moving not only helps reduce mental tension, but it can also elevate endorphin levels for an instant mood boost.
3) Improve Your Relationships
Managing brain burnout can also have an affirmative impact on your social relationships. Once you’ve rejuvenated your mental energy, you’re more likely to have positive interactions with those around you.
4) Drive Motivation
A 2011 study suggests that extensive focus on a single goal can impact performance and outcome. Adding elevated anxiety to the mix can quickly derail project completion entirely. A brief reprieve from a stressful job can revive motivation and concentration levels once you return to the task at hand.
5) Increase Productivity
Letting your mind rest replenishes your mental reserves, helping you to become more productive as well as more creative. Neurorehabilitation is key in assisting with increased productivity from brain burnout as well. GCNC can take a nervous system injury (which may result in brain burnout) and ultimately rehabilitate any issue to an improved state.
6) Better Retain Information
Studies have proven that mental fatigue makes it harder to retain information and can impact our memory making capabilities. A walk, meditation, or even listening to music can get you ready to be more present and prepared to learn.
7) Practice Self Care
Taking a mental break helps you practice the vital art and science of self-care. Getting into the habit of walking away from stress, even momentarily, ensures you’re not only taking care of yourself, but also mentally able to care for others.
What do you do to prevent brain burnout? Contact our team at +1 (770) 664-4288 to consult with one of our licensed chiropractic professionals today.