#6 - Preventing Burnout: Understanding the effects of accumulative stress (Allostatic Load)

The Vertue Podcast

Stress: We've all felt it, but have you ever wondered about the real toll it takes on your body over time? Today, we delve deep into the under-discussed health topic of 'Allostatic Load.' In simpler terms it refers to the accumulated effects of stress on your body, the balance between our fight-or-flight reactions and the relaxation processes.

Ever felt extra jittery after an emotional upheaval, even when you thought a workout would help? Well, there's a reason for that. I'll discuss how stress, from various sources, stacks up in your system. I also touch on how to measure this "stress load" - from the rhythm of your heartbeat (HRV) to the general state of your immune function.

Why should you care? The implications of a high allostatic load are immense, spanning from chronic diseases, and cognitive challenges, to unexpected weight gain and more. But don't jump off the treadmill just yet! I'm not advocating quitting exercise. Instead, I will walk you through the strategies to ease this load using the Biopsychosocial model.

In today's episode, I'll also share personal stories (hint: stress-triggered acne), practical relaxation breathing techniques, the significance of our mindsets and appraisals, and the influence of our social circles. Dive in with us as we help you transform big stressors into little ones and smaller stressors into non-issues.

After all, understanding stress is the first step in managing it.

Keep calm and carry on listening 🎧

HOMEWORK:

CBT appraisals exercise - write down an event, the appraisal you gave that event (as in, what it meant for you or what you feel like it means in the context of your life or the situation), the emotion that followed and then the behavior that followed that emotion.

example:

EVENT: Your boss cuts you off at a work meeting while you're speaking.

APPRAISAL: She doesn't respect me or my work

EMOTION: Sad, frustrated, defeated, deflated.

BEHAVIOUR: Third coffee or wine-o'clock, or office snack bar, or passive-aggressive behavior back to your boss which may cause them to continue to treat you in a negative way.

If I've forgotten to include anything, let me know.

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