Beating Body Burnout

In today's fast-paced world, the term "busy" has become synonymous with success. I know I have used it many times to describe how I am feeling despite it not being an actual emotion!

But what if the busyness we are finding ourselves in is slowly burning us out? In a recent conversation I had on my podcast “Distracted” with Philippa Bellette, a clinical nutritionist, functional medical practitioner, and author of The Ending Body Burnout Book, we delved into the hidden dangers of chronic busyness and the path to reclaiming our health.

The Hidden Dangers of Busyness

Busyness has been in our vernacular for a long time now and the self-help movement we have seen over the last 15 years has capitilised on knowing that we are not learning from the fall out of living a busy life. When I wrote my second book “Switch Off” 7 years ago, I thought that was the peak of the busy life, however I was so wrong. It appears we are continually searching for ways to slow down and access better health and vibrancy in our lives.

The difficulty is that we often wear our busyness as a badge of honor, believing it’s a necessary sacrifice for success. Rarely do you hear a person who we deem successful say they are taking a slow and in flow approach. However, with research in the area of health and wellness and the rise of honest and vulnerable conversations into the reality of our health (supported by alarming data) we have come to realise that being in a constant state of “busy” can lead to detrimental health effects. 

During our conversation, Philippa shared her personal experiences with burnout, emphasising how perfectionism and overworking took a toll on her health. Despite living a "healthy lifestyle," the underlying patterns of stress and overwhelm continued to push her into burnout. We all know someone who has been in this state, maybe even it being ourselves.

I found Philippa's insights into busyness being more than just a packed schedule extremely useful; it’s a state of mind where we prioritise everything but ourselves. She explained that relentless pace can manifest physically, emotionally, and mentally, leading to issues such as chronic fatigue, mood disorders, and gut problems. We know this yet we too often ignore the signs.

Recognising the Signs

One of the key takeaways from our conversation is the importance of recognising the early signs of burnout. Philippa explained that burnout often starts subtly—perhaps you’re not waking up as refreshed, or you find yourself needing a nap in the afternoon. These small signs can escalate into more serious issues like chronic fatigue, anxiety, and digestive problems.

Philippa also touched on the cultural norm of equating success with exhaustion. As mentioned earlier, many people believe that to be successful, they must push themselves to the brink. We see it in movies, in our co-workers and even in our partners. However, this approach often leads to a breaking point where the body and mind simply cannot keep up.

So, how can we break free from this cycle of burnout? Philippa’s approach in her Ending Body Burnout Method involves a comprehensive understanding of the body and mind. It is an approach that makes sense. We need to support both our body and mind in order to thrive. She emphasised the importance of getting clear on where your body systems stand—understanding your energy levels, mood, and gut health is crucial.

Philippa suggests that addressing these physical aspects first can help create the capacity to work on deeper emotional and mental patterns. She advocates for a holistic approach that includes reprogramming unconscious beliefs and patterns that contribute to burnout. Simply put we need to work on what is happening underneath to bring out the health and vitality we long for. 

One of the challenges we face when it comes to slowing down and rethinking “busy” as a marker of success is that we need to bring our awareness to what is really going on for us. This takes acknowledging what might make us feel uncomfortable, listening to the intuition that is speaking to us and reaching out for help.

Burnout doesn't have to be a part of your success story. By recognising the signs and taking proactive steps, you can achieve success without sacrificing your health. Philippa’s insights remind us that true wellness is about more than just being free of disease; it’s about living a balanced, fulfilling life where you have the energy and clarity to thrive.

If you're ready to take control of your health and end the cycle of burnout, consider exploring the Ending Body Burnout Method  https://www.chrisandfilly.fm/method. It might just be the key to unlocking a healthier, happier you.

You can listen to the episode on Distracted here: Beating Body Burnout with Philippa Bellette.