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Who Is The Author?

Dr. Nisha Jackson is the author of  Brilliant Burnout and founder and owner of Peak Medical Clinics. Dr. Jackson suggested a separate blog be written on how the brain is affected by burnout and how specific foods and supplements can help power up and balance the brain at the conclusion of Preventing Burnout. This post will now focus on the brain and how uncontrolled stress leads to burnout.

How Does the Brain Affect The Body?

All body functions  originate in the brain. When the brain is affected by the effects of burnout, the rest of the body will eventually feel its effects.  As noted in Brilliant Burnout, stress is a major cause of burnout.  If chronic stress is not addressed, the physical and psychological effects of burnout is inevitable  Burnout left untreated can result in health problem, consequently making it difficult for someone to  function at their best.

How Does Stress Affect The Brain?

Dr. Jackson wrote in her book that stress affects the brain by:

1. Depleting you of precious brain chemicals that cause depression and anxiety;
2. Halting the production of new brain cells;
3. Creating brain fog and emotional instability;
4. Increasing the radical damages in our brain;
5. Making the brain small in areas that are important for memory and emotions, as well as decision making and impulsive behavior;
6. Increasing the chances of eventually having Alzheimer’s and dementia;
7. Leading to a toxic waste site in the brain, which is even more sensitive than the rest of the body;
8. Causing the brain to be inflamed, due to constant stress that can lead to depression. (pp. 148-149).

Symptoms of Brain Burnout

Dr. Jackson wrote that the symptoms of burnout in the brain include “issues with mood, anger, confusion, memory loss, lack of concentration, anxiety, depression, cravings, addictions, state of nervous system activation-sympathetic” (p. 21).  She continued that the brain’s transmitters affect nearly everything else in the body, including regulation of weight, “sleep patterns, appetite, perception of pain, sense of well-being, mood, and mental performance” (p.27).

How Women Are Susceptible to Burnout

Women are more likely to multi-task. Seniors ages 60 and over generally have spent a lifetime juggling work, child-rearing and household chores.  It is easier said than done for women to try and relax or let a specific task or issue go.  Chronic stress experienced by women eventually results in burnout.  If steps are not taken to reduce stress, the body eventually begins to break down, beginning with the brain.

How To Reverse The Effects of Brain Burnout

Dr. Jackson offers the following combination of supplements, food, relaxation and exercises to help restore the brain:

1. Add Omega-3 fats to your diet.  These include cold water fish such as cold water fish, salmon, herring and cod; omega-3 eggs;  olive oil, coconut oil, and sesame oil; omega-3 supplements; and flax, hemp, nuts, and seeds.
2. Add lean protein to each meal. You will begin to feel sluggish, emotionally distraught, foggy and depressed if healthy proteins are lacking in your diet.
3. Magnesium for the brain. Magnesium is essential in helping keep you happy by making serotonin, the happy brain chemical.  Taking certain medications, drinking alcohol or eating high sugar/processed foods can also create low-level anxiety and depression if not controlled.
4. Essential Brain supplements.  In addition to Omega-3 fats outlined above, B-complex, Vitamin D, Selenium, Ginkgo Biloba, and Amino acids help repair the brain, improve memory and performance, and promote cerebral oxygen.
5. 1 oz. of Dark Chocolate. If one ounce of dark chocolate is taken in the afternoon, it will boast dopamine and make you feel a sense of “well-being” overall.
6. Take a time out. Take time to take a walk outside for 10 minutes to re-group.  People need to stop working, looking at their phone, talking on the phone, surfing the web, listening to negative people, and filling the brain with things that cannot be changed.
7. Work your body. Exercise releases brain chemicals that helps keep you happy, clear, focused and calm.  Because you work your brain every minute of each day, if you don’t take time to exercise, inactivity can result in an  imbalance for the brain.
8. Balance your hormones with a medical hormone expert.  Testosterone is amazing for both men and women; it is especially important to remain alert, focused, and maintain a positive outlook on life.
9. Ignite your parasympathetic brain track twice daily for 2-3 minutes. Dr. Jackson recommends the “Rest and Relax switch”. This is done by breathing in and through your nose and out pursed lips, setting the intention for exactly what you want to feel, acquire, and move towards.  This is a powerful and very effective routine to promote brain balance and happiness (pp 159-164).

Further Information

Dr. Jackson’s book Brilliant Burnout: How Successful, Driven Women Can Stay in the Game by Rewiring Their Bodies, Brains, and Hormones shows how uncontrolled chronic stress can take a high toll on mental health.  She offers more suggestions on why chronic stress eventually results in burnout, which can adversely change the brain’s structure and function in an “up-close-and-personal way”.

Final Thoughts

The brain is the control center of the body. If the brain is affected by chronic stress, burnout can result. Unchecked burnout can eventually negatively influence how the rest of the body functions.  If the brain is functioning at optimal capacity, so will the rest of the body.  Years of unchecked stress that leads to burnout can adversely change the ability of seniors 60 and older to remain healthy, happy and productive in their later years.