WHAT IS BURNOUT?

Burnout is much more than “feeling tired” or “feeling drained”.^1,2 It’s a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that can affect every area of your life.^1,2 Burnout is often caused by work-related stress, but it can be a result of other stressful situations too, such as caring for a family member.²

Download the coMra for Neuropathy e-book for more information on treatment protocols for neuropathic conditions

Signs of burnout include:

• Feeling exhausted and unable to cope^2,3
• Reduced performance²
• Feelings of apathy³
• Difficulty concentrating²
• Isolating or distancing oneself²
• Headaches³
• Gastrointestinal problems²
• Changes in eating and sleeping patterns³

Burnout is often associated with work stress, so why do so many people end up feeling burned out over the festive holiday season?

WHAT MAKES THE HOLIDAY SEASON SO STRESSFUL?

End-of-year stress: The period leading up to the holidays is often an especially busy time at work. It’s not unusual to experience “end-of-year burnout”,⁴ which leaves you feeling exhausted before the festive season break has even started.

Unrealistic expectations: We often tend to have high expectations about what the perfect summer holiday or the perfect Christmas celebration should look like.⁵ Many people find themselves overcommitted and overwhelmed trying to meet these expectations, and this leads to burnout.

Low immunity: Stress and anxiety affect your immune system and can make you more susceptible to common illnesses.⁶ If you’re burned out at this time of year, you might find yourself starting the holidays with a stomach bug or heading back to work in January with a nasty cold. And of course, if you’re feeling unwell it’s even harder to cope with the demands that the festive season can bring.

Luckily, there are ways to reduce and manage the stress that can lead to burnout, including the coMra protocols that are designed to help when you’re feeling depleted and run down.

TREATING STRESS AND EXHAUSTION WITH coMra

There are coMra protocols available to treat the physical, mental and emotional issues that come with end-of-year burnout and holiday stress.⁷

UNIVERSAL 2 (Heart) treats low immunity.

UNIVERSAL 3 (Blood) promotes overall wellbeing and acts as a preventative treatment.

UNIVERSAL 4 is a Somatic Biostimulation routine that treats physical exhaustion.

UNIVERSAL 5 is a Somatic Biostimulation routine that treats:

• Emotional exhaustion
• Stress
• Insomnia (which can be a symptom of burnout)

UNIVERSAL 6 (Vitality):

• Treats physical exhaustion
• Promotes recovery from illness
• Promotes general wellbeing and vitality
• Acts as a long-term preventative treatment

UNIVERSAL 7, which works on the nervous system, treats:

• Emotional exhaustion
• Mental and emotional stress

GASTROENTEROLOGY 6 treats digestive problems, which can be a symptom of stress and burnout.

UNIVERSAL 1 (Head) treats headaches and migraines, which can be caused by stress.

Find full instructions for use in the latest coMra User Guide.

TIPS FOR REDUCING STRESS THIS FESTIVE SEASON

Here are a few ways to keep your stress in check and start recovering from burnout:

• Disconnect from work. Figure out what makes you more likely to work – like spending time on your phone or laptop – and avoid those things to make sure you get a proper break from work.⁸
• Replace that time you’d spend checking emails with a healthy daily habit like walking, jogging or spending time with your family. ⁸
• Take some time to rest and be quiet once a day, even if it’s only for 15 minutes.⁹
• Plan ahead. Decide which days you’re going to do your shopping, cooking, etc. Make your shopping lists ahead of time, and delegate responsibilities to other family members where you can.⁹
• Set up a budget and stick to it – this will prevent financial stresses over the holidays and in the new year.⁹
• Do your gift shopping online, to save time and avoid the crowds.⁹
• Look after your physical health. Try to stick to a regular sleep schedule, eat a balanced diet and exercise a few times a week.⁹
• Allow yourself to say no. It can be difficult, but it will also stop you from overcommitting and exhausting yourself more.⁹

If you’re struggling with your mental health this festive season, you’re not alone – don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional if you need help.

NOTE: coMra is a powerful modality. The uses described above are those recommended by the coMra User Guide. Experience over 10 years has shown that in the case of most chronic conditions, treatments can also be spread out to once or twice per week, without taking the breaks outlined in the guide.

References:

¹ Burnout. APA dictionary of psychology.
² Depression: What is burnout? Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), 2020
³ Burnout: 5 signs and what to do about it. Cleveland Clinic. Published February 1, 2022
⁴ Castrillon C. How to cope with end-of-year burnout. Forbes
⁵ Holiday stress: causes, management, and more. Healthline
⁶ How does stress affect your immune system? News-Medical.net. Published April 14, 2022
⁷ coMra user guide. coMra
⁸ 7 ways to reset your burnout levels during the holiday. Forbes
⁹ 10 tips for managing holiday burnout. Broadlawns Medical Center