Depression and Burnout - Signs and Symptoms in Busy Professionals

Depression and burnout can creep up on a busy professional. Many professionals have that stubborn Type A overachiever style of personality very few are willing to admit a weakness, such as exhaustion or depression. 

Some professionals experience a gradual worsening of symptoms and others are felled by it seemingly overnight with no warning. It really does depend on the individual and the types of stress they are under.

Yet another insidious fact of life when it comes to depression and burnout is that not everybody experiences all of these symptoms. Some people may only find one sphere of their daily existence affected, such as their physical wellness and not appear to have problems in other areas such as work.

However usually depression begins with physical symptoms that include –

• Disturbances in sleep
• Extreme weight gain or loss
• Excessive snacking or eating
• Fatigue and a lack of energy
• Loss of sexual desire
• Digestive problems or headaches
• General pain with no specific cause

Next, we look at the work related problems that are a result of the cognitive difficulties caused by stress. These include –

• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Indecisiveness
• Imagining suicide
• Lack of interest in work
• Pessimism about the future

The emotional signs of depression include –

• sadness
• unexplained shame
• worthlessness
• feelings of guilt
• irritability
• feelings of resentment
• inability to feel pleasure in life
• helplessness
• hopelessness
• emotional pain

Finally, the behavioural signs and symptoms of depression and burnout include:

• withdrawal
• being uncommunicative
• crying spells
• slowing down
• restlessness
• neglect of responsibilities
• neglect of personal hygiene
• substance abuse

Also common is the inappropriate expression of feelings such as anger or resentment. A person under too much stress is also always irritable.

Burnout

Burnout is a type of depression but the symptoms of fatigue, apathy and negativity are extreme. The person may be so tired that they may not be able to focus at all on work. They become overwhelmed by a loss of control over circumstances in life (such as a spouse leaving) or by being unable to meet deadlines.

Ironically the last thing that some doctors on the verge of burnout is exhausted.  Many use their Type A personalities to keep plugging on against great odds of success. In fact many doctors who are actually burnt out seem to be incapable of cutting back on the number of hours they spend at work.

Many people can’t get out bed when they are burnt out. It is often accompanied by illness and an abuse of recreational drugs.  By the time a person is burnt out he or she is usually also worthy of a diagnosis of clinical depression. Some doctors will also diagnose this as chronic fatigue symptom.

Life coaching can help in this case by first of all encouraging the individual to come out of self-imposed isolation and talk about problems. A life coach can also help a person suffering from depression cope with inappropriate feelings of shame and know the difference between how one feels about reality and what is really going on. This can really help a depressed or burnt out depression gain perspective and strength and move on to reorganize their lives so that they feel  better.

For more information or to book a consultation about anti-aging, diet and weight loss programs or any health issue you may be experiencing, visit the Pinewood Natural Health Clinic website that has a list of full services and products at www.pinewood.ca or call our Toronto Office at  (416)-656- 8100.  We also have an office in Pickering, Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have about our holistic health services.

What Can Tai Chi Do For You?

Tai Chi is a very personal discipline that is about training both mind and body. In this sense it is difficult to define exactly what it is. To some people it is a way of losing weight, to others a way of improving posture and balance and to still others a way of form of meditation and spiritual seeking.  Of course practicing it can also be about all of these things. It’s a kind of ancient Chinese cure all for everything from adolescent awkwardness to low self esteem to depression to poor posture…you name it!

Tai Chi is an ancient way of staying fit.

Perhaps one way to sum up this discipline that can almost be described as a moving form of meditation and yoga combined is that it is about increasing personal power. If you are control freak you will love Tai Chi. The caveat is that the movements also teach you to let go and be balanced even in chaos.

In fact, the Chinese characters for Tai Chi Chuan can be translated as the 'Supreme Ultimate Force'. The notion of 'supreme ultimate' is often associated with the Chinese concept of having both yin and yang in balance.  Yin if you will recall encompasses such qualities and elements as female, passive, dark, shrinking and yielding. Yang encompasses the qualities of male, forceful, light, expanding and force.  The reason Tai Chi is the ultimate dance of balance is that it combines both.

There is no one standard for Tai Chi. Most Tai Chi exercise sequences consist of a set  of movements. Many are imitations of the movements of animals and birds and some of these postures are stances used for combat. However even if you are doing what seems to be a militant posture all of the poses done in Tai Chi are done gracefully. You move from pose to pose with soft, fluid gestures.

The Benefits of Tai Chi

Don’t make the mistake in thinking that Tai Chi is a martial art, although it probably will make you more astute in some ways. It is mostly a meditation that helps harmonize the mind and body connection.  Once this happens you are able to generate and store more energy. In Chinese this energy is referred to as “chi”.

One of the aims of Tai Chi is to increase Chi and foster the popular circulation of it in your life. Not only are your health and vitality enhanced but your mind becomes more focused, less negative and able to manifest good things.

Tai Chi can help you become more coordinated because the postures in the sets are designed to animate the energy centres in your body. Many people who practice them experience better reflexes, improved posture and less muscle tension and strain.

However the benefits spiritually and mentally are what seem to blow most people’s mind when they become addicted to this ancient discipline. The benefits include a calmer and more tranquil mind and also a better connection to the higher self.  You are also less vulnerable to stress, especially those caused by emotional distractions and will be able to work, study and dream longer.

No matter what kind of game you play, Tai Chi is one of those practice tools that can help you master it!

For more information about The Pinewood Institute for the Advancement of Natural Medicine courses including course outlines, detailed descriptions of courses and information about upcoming training sessions, please go www.pinewoodinstitute.com.  You can also send us an email using our email form at http://pinewoodinstitute.com/contact.aspx or call us at 416-656-8100. If you prefer to fax the number is 416-656-8107.

Inexpensive Oil Diffusers for Aromatherapy

Diffusing essential oils throughout your home can have all kinds of amazing effects including disinfection, eliminating odours and uplifting your mood. However, you might be wondering exactly what you should do with that expensive little vial of pure essential oil once you get it home so that oil droplets can be diffused delicately through the air.

Therapeutic Oil Diffusers

An oil diffuser does not heat the healing constituents of the essential oilOil diffusers that are meant for therapeutic use are much more expensive than what you probably need to use on a daily basis.  The construction of a basic aromatherapy diffuser is very simple but a a therapeutic grade oil diffuser which consists of a fish pump and a glass bulb can be over $120.  This is considered to be the most effective way of diffusing oils through air as it is a cold diffusion that leaves the healing molecules in the air intact.  The idea is the oil is pushed through the tube so that it is pushed through the air. The effect true cold diffusion is very pungent and you don’t run it for too long because it is almost too effective! It can fill an 800 square foot space with aroma so strong in about a half that you might have to open a few windows.

Cheap Ways Of Experiencing Aromatherapy

A bottle of aromatherapy oil and a diffusor.

The cheapest thing to do is simply put a few drops of oil on a tissue and tuck it beside your pillow. This is good if you are using lavender oil to try to get to sleep or eucalyptus oil to heal chest congestion.

Another cheap method of diffusing oils is to simply put a few drops in a vaporizer and let the essential oils be diffused through the air in the molecules of water.

Just as another word of warning, remember to keep animals away from diffusers or vaporizers as they have less tolerance for aromatics which build up in their bodies and make them ill.

About Candle Diffusion Kits

One of the gentlest ways to disperse essential oils through the air is to let the oils be gently warmed by a candle.  Perhaps the simplest way to do this is to pour a few drops of the oil into the hot wax. This is recommended if you don’t want an effect that smells too strongly.

However for a more pronounced effect you can buy lamp rings. These are little circular trays that look like rings. You place them directly on a light bulb. The oil is applied directly to the ring and as the oil heats up it fills the room with scent. Just a word of warning – don’t pour essential oil directly on a light bulb (or spill it) as it sizzles and fries.

Another fairly safe way is to buy clay pot or metal diffusers that feature a little cavern for the lit candle and a place for essential oil to be pooled on top. The candle gently warms the essential oil and disperses it through the air for a subtle effect.

For more information or to book a consultation about anti-aging, diet and weight loss programs or any health issue you may be experiencing, visit the Pinewood Natural Health Clinic website that has a list of full services and products at www.pinewood.ca or call our Toronto Office at  (416)-656- 8100.  We also have an office in Pickering, Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have about our holistic health services.