Nutritionist post- tips for feeling burnt out

Stressed, tired, lacking motivation ? I hear so many of my clients, friends and family saying how tired they feel.

Does this sound like you? Each day, you move from task to task like a robot. You're numb. You're disconnected. Your hair is getting thinner, your waist is getting thicker, you're losing energy, and you're just not yourself anymore.

If you're feeling like this, I can tell you this right now: You're probably burned out—and if you don't take action, you're headed for a crash. Burnout is defined as the physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress.

So how can we support our body and health so we don’t feel burnt out?

Even if you try to eat a good diet, a stressful life—too much work, too little sleep, too many worries—will deplete your body of essential nutrients. When you are nutrient-deprived, your immune system can't work right, your brain can't function optimally, your gut can't metabolize food well, and your hormones get wonky. In addition, your extracellular matrix—that's the fluid around your cells—goes from flowing like a river to sludgy like a swamp. All of this is a prescription for burnout. Addressing your health holistically is key.

• Reduce processed foods and eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, good quality fats and protein. Before each meal take three deep breaths to simulate your parasympathetic nervous system (Soothing nervous system).

• Support your nervous system with nutrients, the key nutrients/herbs include vitamin Bs, magnesium, vitamin C, zinc, l theanine, , omega 3s and withania. I prescribe practitioner only products to support the nervous system and my clients notice a big difference.

• Cut back on high intensity workouts as this can increase your stress hormone cortisol. The body needs a state of healing, and the excess adrenaline and cortisol spikes with workouts such as HIIT, cardio, and marathon running may wreak havoc on the delicate balance that your body may be trying to achieve. Try restorative yoga, walking or Pilates.

• Epsom salt bath- They combine the soothing qualities of soaking in hot water with the anti-pain, anti-insomnia, and anti-anxiety powers of magnesium.

• If you feel overwhelmed journal, this is a great way to brain dump.

• Sleep - go to bed early and practice sleep hygiene. Sleeping for 7-8 hours is how our bodies detoxes, rejuvenates and heals. Deep, restorative sleep is something both our bodies and minds biologically crave—and the amazing thing is that we get to do it every single day.

• Our bodies need sunlight just as much as they need food and water. We now know that in addition to providing us with vitamin D, sunlight raises the body's levels of nitric oxide—a vital molecule that increases blood flow, optimizes the immune system, and acts as a signaling molecule for the brain. This is why cheating your body of sunlight can leave you unhealthy and unhappy, contributing to burnout.

• These days, many of us are "touch-deprived." This contributes to burnout because stimulating our touch receptors calms us, lowers our blood pressure, and reduces our levels of the stress hormone cortisol. In addition, it raises our levels of oxytocin, a hormone that helps us to bond with other people. Hug your family, partner, animal, kids or giving yourself a hug is beneficial.

A nutrition and health consult can support your health needs and requirements, book in today.