The Hidden Physical Effects of Workplace Burnout on Women
For years, women’s health has been under-researched and underfunded. Evidence shows that different health conditions affect men and women differently, including burnout.
Burnout is defined as a state of physical and mental exhaustion, which the WHO calls an ‘occupational phenomenon’. Whilst stress causes burnout, it isn’t the same thing. Stress tends to be shorter-term, whereas burnout is longer-term and creates a disconnect from work.
This issue has a very real physical impact on women, which is often ignored. Here are some typical effects to watch out for.
Chronic fatigue and low energy
One of the most common symptoms of burnout is chronic fatigue. Women may notice feeling exhausted, even after resting and sleeping.
This feeling goes beyond being tired; it is all-encompassing, making it difficult to find the energy to get out of bed, cook a proper meal or go to work at all. This impacts all areas of your life, not just during your working hours.
Sleep disruption and hormonal imbalance
Low energy and fatigue can be caused by poor sleep, which burnout can exacerbate. Sufferers find it hard to switch off and fall asleep, and they have stressful dreams, which reduce the quality of their sleep.
Sleep can also be affected by hormone imbalances, which burnout can contribute to. Keeping your body in a constant state of stress raises cortisol levels. Persistently raised cortisol levels can lead to high blood pressure, weight gain, menstrual changes and mood changes, among others. Many of these symptoms, when taken alone, are harmful to your long-term health and are often mistaken for other issues.
Stress-related hair changes
For some women, prolonged stress can wreak havoc with their hair. Some notice thinning and shedding, which can look very scary. Waking up to hair on your pillow and in the shower adds to your stress, making it harder for your body to recover from burnout.
There is a range of supportive hair-loss solutions available, including hair-loss vitamins for women designed to complement a healthy lifestyle and promote overall hair wellness. Finding something that supports recovery can help you feel mentally stronger.
Digestive and immune system effects
Burnout and prolonged, heightened stress can affect various bodily systems, such as the digestive and immune systems.
As energy is directed toward the fight-or-flight response to cortisol and adrenaline, the digestive system has less to work with. This can lead to nausea, constipation, heartburn and diarrhoea. These symptoms can trigger a vicious cycle of increased worry, which can make them worse.
Immune systems work hard to keep your body running smoothly. When burnout occurs, stress hormones can inhibit your immune system, increasing your risk of infection and slowing your recovery when you are unwell.