When about stress, what you eat can be just as important as what you don’t eat. Scientists have long known that certain foods can help to relieve stress while others can actually contribute to it. If you’re looking for ways to naturally reduce stress levels, consider incorporating some of these foods into your diet.
Oats: Oats are rich in fiber, which helps to regulate the digestive system and lower cholesterol levels. Additionally, they contain Avenanthramides – compounds that have been shown to reduce stress hormone levels and protect the brain from damage caused by chronic stress.
Fatty Fish: Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids – a type of healthy fat that has anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help reduce anxiety and improve mood disorders like depression.
Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate contains high levels of flavonoids – antioxidants that can help protect the body from cell damage caused by inflammation. Flavonoids have also been linked with lower blood pressure and reduced cortisol levels (a hormone associated with stress).
Honeymoon phase. Like a honeymoon phase in a marriage, this stage comes with energy and optimism
The honeymoon phase of burnout is characterized by energy and optimism. This is the stage where you’re still able to see the silver lining in every cloud, and you’re full of hope for the future. You believe that anything is possible and that you can achieve your goals. You’re motivated and driven, and you have a can-do attitude.
However, this phase doesn’t last forever. Eventually, the shine will start to wear off and reality will set in. This is when the challenges of burnout begin to surface. You may start to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or even resentful. The honeymoon phase is over when the rose-colored glasses come off and you’re left facing the harsh realities of burnout head-on.
Onset of stress phase. Eventually, the honeymoon phase dwindles, and you begin to experience stress
You might start to feel overwhelmed by your workload, and like you’re never able to get ahead. You might start to feel like you’re not good enough, and that you’re constantly falling behind. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and despair. You might start to withdraw from friends and family, and lose interest in activities that used to bring you joy. This is the onset of the stress phase of burnout.
If left unchecked, this stress can eventually lead to the full-blown exhaustion phase of burnout. In this phase, you may feel completely drained both physically and emotionally. You may have trouble sleeping, or find that when you do sleep, you don’t feel rested. You may be irritable and short-tempered with those around you. Your work may begin to suffer, as well as your personal relationships. You may find yourself turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drugs in an attempt to numbed the pain. If you reach this point, it’s important to seek professional help before things spiral further out of control.
Chronic stress phase
Chronic stress is the result of prolonged exposure to stressful situations. It can lead to physical and emotional health problems, and can eventually lead to burnout. The chronic stress phase is characterized by a feeling of being constantly under pressure, and by a sense of being unable to cope with the demands of daily life. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, irritability, and insomnia. Physical symptoms include headaches, chest pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems.
Habitual burnout phase
There are three main characteristics of habitual burnout: cynicism, detachment, and apathy. People in this stage may be highly critical of others and have a negative outlook on life in general. They may also withdraw from social interactions and activities that they once enjoyed. And finally, they may become apathetic – meaning they no longer care about anything or anyone (including themselves).
If you think you might be in the habitual burnout phase, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional. Burnout is a serious condition that can have major implications for your physical and mental health. But with treatment, it is possible to recover and regain your passion for life.”