From Stress to Burnout

Oct 9

How It Impacts Your Health and How I'm Managing the Journey

Hey Familia,

Today, I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind (and honestly on my heart) a lot lately…stress. Specifically, the kind of stress that working moms like myself face every day. And yes, I’m a Health Coach, but that doesn’t make me immune to stress or burnout. If anything, I feel it just as much, maybe even more, because I know exactly what it does to our emotional and physical well-being. It’s a little like knowing there’s a fire in your house but not always having the time to put it out, you know?

Let’s get real for a second, being a working mom is tough. We juggle a million things every day: work, home, the kids, finances, and maybe (just maybe) squeezing in some “me” time. It’s like there’s never enough time, and if there is, we feel guilty for not spending it with our kids or getting ahead at work. And don’t even get me started on household chores and the mental load that comes with it.

Here are some of the main stress triggers I know all too well:

**Work-life balance:** Trying to give your all to work, family, and yourself, and always feeling like something’s falling short.
**Time pressure:** When was the last time you took time for self-care? Exactly.
**Financial worries:** Especially in single-income households or those managing tight budgets.
**Guilt:** The constant feeling of not being enough, whether it’s at home or work.
**Household responsibilities:** Let’s be real, most of us carry more than our fair share, adding to the overwhelm.
**Lack of support:** If your partner or family isn't stepping in, you’re doing it all, and that’s exhausting.
**Perfectionism:** We expect ourselves to be superwomen, excelling at everything and that pressure is a huge source of stress.

The Difference Between Stress and Burnout

I used to think stress was something I could manage. But stress, when left unchecked, can lead to burnout. And let me tell you, there’s a big difference between the two.

Here are some signs of stress:

Feeling overwhelmed but still able to function
Anxiety, irritability, or emotional sensitivity
Fatigue but not complete exhaustion
Trouble sleeping or waking up during the night

But when you hit burnout? Oh, that’s another story:

Complete physical and emotional exhaustion
Detachment from work and family; like you just can’t care anymore
A constant sense of failure or helplessness
Chronic fatigue that no amount of rest can fix
Your performance at work and home tanks

I know this because I’ve been there. Recently, I found myself back in burnout territory after reaching one of my big health goals: losing 25 lbs., eating better, and being physically active. Here’s the thing about health goals; even if you reach that “finish line,” you can’t stop there. Maintaining healthy habits is a lifelong journey. The moment you stop working on them, it’s way too easy to slide right back into old patterns. And that’s exactly what happened to me.

My Struggle with Stress and Health

Looking back, I’ve realized that stress has always had a hold on me. Growing up in a household where money was tight, and my parents were constantly fighting, stress became a constant companion. It’s like I learned to operate under pressure, sometimes it helped, but more often than not, it caused havoc in my life.

In my mid-twenties, I started noticing how stress was taking a toll on my body. For some people, stress impacts their heart, for others, it might show up as headaches or tension. It definitely weakens your immune system, which is what it did for me, causing a lot of inflammation. This created havoc on my skin and gut (have you heard of the body/mind connection? More to come on that topic in future blogs). Chronic acne was one of the first signs that something was seriously wrong. It wasn’t just on my face, it was all over my neck, chest, and back. I also had constant indigestion and bloating, and at first, I thought it was just about what I was eating.

I cleaned up my diet, but it wasn’t enough. After a year of trial and error, I started working with a naturopath who helped me uncover the root causes. A big part of it was high cortisol, our body’s stress hormone. After some intensive hormonal tests, it was discovered that my body was constantly running on high cortisol levels. Back then, no one really talked about self-care or stress management, so I just did the best I could with the information I had.

I started taking supplements based on the deficiencies revealed in my blood tests. I also took bioidentical estrogen, as it turned out I had an excess of estrogen, likely caused by years of using birth control (even though I had stopped taking it two years prior). To help my body eliminate the excess estrogen, I did a month-long liver cleanse. My acne cleared up, my gut felt better, and I felt like I was on the right track. I even went raw vegan for a time, and it worked wonders for me. My energy was through the roof, my skin glowed, and my gut issues disappeared. But as with many things, stress crept back in.

When Life Happens

Fast forward to my first baby, nothing prepares you for the stress of being a first-time mom. And then, like the crazy person I am, I decided to open up a raw vegan café. I had no idea what I was getting into! The stress of running a business, being a new mom, and all the other responsibilities that came with it wore me down. I lived in a constant state of overwhelm for the next five years.

Then came my second baby, at the worst financial time for our business. We eventually closed the café, and I went back to corporate life. Things improved financially, but emotionally? I was a mess. I was sad, overweight, exhausted, and my health issues came roaring back. Acne, gut issues, and low energy became my daily reality again.

The pandemic was a strange blessing in disguise. It forced me to slow down. No to-do lists, no places to be, just time at home with my family. But when things picked up again, the overwhelm came back full force. Work, family, side hustles, it all took over my life, and I found myself back at square one, feeling burned out and disconnected.

What I’m Doing Now

This is why I’m passionate about health and wellness. I know what it feels like to struggle. I know the toll that stress and burnout can take on your body and mind. And while I help others build healthy habits, I’m also learning to give myself grace.

I’ve been working on eating healthier again (thank you, Balanced Plate Method), moving my body more (lots of walks, yoga, and barre), and getting better sleep. I’ve lost 25 pounds in the past year, and my skin and gut health have improved. But I’m still learning. I still take on too much at work, and that nagging feeling of “I’m not a good enough mom” lingers.

A Word of Encouragement

For many of us, stress is inevitable; and honestly, it’s not all bad. Stress can actually be helpful at times. It’s what pushes us to grow, adapt, and rise to challenges. Without a little stress nudging us forward, we’d never expand our capabilities or step out of our comfort zones. But here's the trick: it’s about finding that sweet spot, where stress drives you without overwhelming you. Think of stress as a tool. When managed well, it can fuel your growth and help you reach new heights. But if left unchecked, it can drain you. The key is learning to harness it without letting it take over.

So, here’s my reminder to myself and to you: stress management is a journey, not a destination. It’s okay to fall down sometimes, but the important thing is getting back up. I’m not perfect, and that’s okay. None of us are. We all need support, time to breathe, and the grace to take care of ourselves because we can’t pour from an empty cup.

If you’re struggling with stress or burnout, know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to slow down, reassess, and ask for help. Let’s keep working on it together.

With Love,

Deslie