Are you feeling exhausted, irritable or depressed, is your sleep poor, your concentration not what it used to be? Are you anxious and full of doubts? Perhaps you are suffering physically with frequent infections, headaches, digestive problems, hay-fever or other allergic conditions.

You may be suffering burnout.

Burnout is a condition that sometimes effects people in high stress situations for long periods of time. The stress is usually more emotional than physical. Many sufferers are in jobs that demand a lot and often leave the person feeling helpless. Teachers, doctors, nurses and social workers are likely candidates. There is often a clash between expectations and the harsh reality of the job, which leads to frustration and disappointment.

Most health professionals consider the problem to be psychological. Others consider it a physical problem, believed to relate to the hormonal and chemical changes that occur because of the "fight or flight response". Herbert Benson MD in his book The Relaxation Response describes the flight and fight response as follows. "When we are faced with situations that require adjustment of our behavior, an involuntary response increases our blood pressure, heart rate, rate of breathing, blood flow to the muscles, and metabolism, preparing us for conflict or escape."

This was a useful survival trait when more primitive man was faced with challenges, however today the response occurs in situations in the work place and other areas of society where it is not appropriate to hit out or run away. Frequent triggering of the response and our inability to express it builds up and leads to burnout. This burnout is sometimes known as Adrenal Exhaustion as adrenal hormones are important in the fight or flight response.

If you feel you are suffering burnout it is strongly recommended that you seek help from a health care provider, particularly from the natural health field. The reason is that burnout can be a circular problem. When you have burnout the stress response triggers more often and this leads to more burnout. Sometimes the correct treatment depends on the level of burnout you are suffering. On how deep it is into your system. As an example many people suggest exercise when in burnout, the idea is that it can help to provide an outlet for the fight or flight response. Unfortunately if the condition has progressed too far then exercise can aggravate the condition and make you much worse.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) burnout usually starts with what is called Liver Qi Stagnation. The Liver is responsible for regulating the smooth circulation of Qi or energy in the body. When we experience difficult situations the Qi becomes blocked and the Liver tries to overcome the blockage, often the result is anger which in a healthy state is more of a determination, a focused state we use to overcome a challenge. In some cases the Liver is not in a healthy state and the response is more of an uncontrolled rage. Over time the Liver becomes weaker especially in the soothing, calmer yin nature, instead it's yang fiery nature is exaggerated and leads to insomnia and digestive problems.

In TCM all of the body's systems are interdependent, in particular there is what is called the five phase cycle. In this cycle each organ is responsible for supporting and nourishing one organ and also for regulating another. The organ which supports the Liver is the Kidneys, so over time the continuous stress drains not only the Liver but also the Kidneys which are attempting support and nourish the Liver. It is when the Kidney is weakening that the signs of burnout begin to become obvious.

In addition the Liver is responsible for supporting and nourishing the Heart as the Liver weakens and becomes fiery the Heart becomes agitated and we see the symptoms of irritability, insomnia, depression and irrational behavior emerge. This fiery action of the Liver also leads to oppression of the organ it is meant to regulate which is the Spleen. In TCM the Spleen and it's partner the Stomach are responsible for digestion hence the common incidence of digestive problems in those suffering burnout.

The main organ responsible for regulating the Liver is the Lung, however as the condition progresses the Lung is trying to provide support for the Kidneys and also to regulate the Liver, it simply becomes exhausted in the process. As the Lung Qi is responsible for the effectiveness of the immune system infections and allergies begin to increase.

In order to overcome burnout you need to regulate the Liver Qi and nourish the organs that have become weak, excellent ways to achieve this are acupuncture and herbal medicine. Some will find that counseling helps to adjust there expectations and allow them to improve the emotional causes of Liver Qi stagnation.

From a self help perspective the following steps are of great help.

Learn to relax.

Where possible reduce the work stress, consider taking regular holiday breaks. Don't take on overtime or extra duties. Learn some relaxation techniques.

Learn to Meditate

Mediation is more important than general relaxation techniques. Correct meditation can alter the brain activity in a way that has a reversing effect on the fight or flight response, allowing the body chemistry to normalize. From a TCM point of view meditation can regulate the Qi conserve the Qi and nourish Liver and Kidney Yin.

Eat regularly avoid junk food and irregular meal times.

It is better to eat small meals more frequently than allow hunger to cause us to over eat or go for the wrong foods such as chocolate bars or cakes. Eat foods that are the least processed as possible, fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts, whole grains and lean meats and fish. Avoid refined foods such as sugars and white flours or breads. We get Qi from our food and a steady source of food can help regulate the availability and smooth flow of Qi.

Exercise and deep breathing

Go for regular walks. Consider learning Yoga, Qi Gong or Tai Qi. Exercise helps move the Qi and blood, but excessive exercise can deplete the Qi and make the problem worse. Walking is considered one of the most natural and beneficial of exercises. Studies have shown that it has a strong anti-depressant effect and can help improve sleep and bowel actions. As you begin to feel more stable and your energy returns you can gradually increase the intensity of exercise.

Deep breathing is breathing from the diaphram, take a long slow deep breath through the nose with the mouth closed, let the belly expand as you breath in then exhale slowly through the mouth. Repeat for 4 or 5 breaths. This form of breathing has been shown to reduce anxiety. So if you begin to feel uptight and anxious, simply pause and do this breathing exercise. This exercise will strengthen the Lungs and increase the circulation of Qi.

Laugh regularly

Take time out to have a laugh, watch a film, read a book, go to a show or spend time with people that have fun and make you laugh. Laughter opens up the breathing and relaxes us, it also produces changes in the stress response that produce many of the benefits produced by mediation.

Don't let your life be a soap opera.

Life happens, soap operas are based on things that really happen to people, but they are dramatized, they are exaggerated and happen in uncommon frequency and severity. Unfortunately sometimes we watch these shows and unconsciously expect our lives to be like them. Look at yourself and the people around you, does it resemble a soap opera? If it does take a step back, realize your life should not be a soap opera, the realization will change your behavior and therefore your life.

With help and by following these guidelines, you can definitely beat burnout.