Healthcare professionals are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of chronic stress, which can significantly impact overall well-being. Since the pandemic, rates of stress and burnout among healthcare workers have risen dramatically, impacting over three in every five workers. Those in caregiving roles – such as naturopathic physicians, doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals – are especially vulnerable to burnout and compassion fatigue. These conditions, while often used interchangeably, both stem from chronic exposure to emotionally demanding environments. The term burnout was first introduced by American psychologist Herbert Freudenberger, who described the emotional and physical exhaustion observed in caregiving professions. In naturopathic medicine, where doctors and students are often deeply committed to patient connection and care, this emotional investment, while meaningful and incredibly important, can increase the risk of burnout when not paired with effective self-care strategies and stress management. Luckily, NDs are adept in the stress management and lifestyle tools that are core in naturopathic medical curriculum.
Importance of Stress Management in Healthcare
Workplace stress is a major contributor to burnout, especially in high-pressure environments like healthcare settings. Stress is something everyone experiences and it is a natural physical response to external demands or situations. However, when stress becomes chronic, particularly in emotionally intense settings – it can lead to long-term health consequences. Elevated stress levels without adequate recovery can disrupt cortisol regulation, impair the immune system, and contribute to emotional exhaustion. Recognizing when the body is in a prolonged stress response is key to preventing burnout. This awareness, paired with practical stress management strategies—both at work and at home is essential not only for preserving the health of healthcare workers but also for maintaining the quality of care they provide. Burnout doesn’t just affect the individual, it has widespread implications for patient outcomes, healthcare systems, and community well-being.
Stress Symptoms:
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- Excessive worry
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Uneasiness
- Tension
- Headaches or body pain
- High blood pressure
- Loss of sleep
The Role of Cortisol in Stress and Burnout
Cortisol (through the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA)) is our stress hormone and during a stressful event or situation it will rise as our body prepares for a “fight or flight” response. Normally, levels of cortisol lower after the event has passed. In states of chronic or continued stress (like those in high-stress occupations like healthcare) cortisol can remain elevated. High cortisol is a pro-inflammatory state that is linked to cardiovascular disease, immune dysfunction, mental health conditions, as well as burnout. Despite overlapping symptoms between anxiety and depression, burnout is not a recognized mental health condition or an official diagnosis, but is considered to be a state caused by stress. Differentiating burnout from an anxiety disorder or depression is important and can be done by most mental health professionals. Learn more about recognizing the stages of burnout to better equip yourself with tools to manage a healthy relationship with stress.
Burnout symptoms:
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- Exhaustion
- Depersonalization
- Decreased motivation at work
- Negativity and cynicism
- Reduced work ability/efficiency
5 Stress Management Techniques for Healthcare Professionals
Take control of known stressors
Take control to reduce any excessive stressors by identifying and actively managing the ones within your control. Reducing avoidable stress is a powerful first step in preventing burnout. One essential strategy is creating and maintaining healthy boundaries. This serves as a protective buffer against chronic overwhelm. Equally important is learning to shift how you perceive and respond to stress; developing calmer, more mindful responses helps minimize activation of the HPA axis, which plays a central role in the body’s stress response.
Practice Self-Care
Building a strong foundation for health is essential in preventing stress and burnout among healthcare practitioners. Need direction? Use this guide: Self-Care for Healthcare Professionals. Just as a house relies on a solid base, our well-being depends on key pillars: sleep, nutrition, hydration, social support and physical activity. Quality sleep of ideally 7 to 8 hours per night is crucial, as sleep deprivation is linked to higher cortisol production and poorer stress responses. A nutrient-dense diet rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and zinc help support adrenal function, while limiting caffeine and processed sugars can reduce inflammation and energy crashes. Regular, moderate, non-competitive exercise also acts as a natural stress reliever, improving mood, energy, and overall resilience.
Consider Counseling
Counseling plays a vital role in combating stress and burnout among healthcare professionals. Psychotherapeutic methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Emotionally Supportive Relationship Therapy (ESRT) have shown benefits in reducing anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion. Mindfulness-based therapies are particularly effective, helping healthcare workers build resilience and manage work-related stress more effectively.
Mindfulness, Meditation, and Relaxation Techniques
Mindfulness and relaxation practices are powerful tools for reducing stress in healthcare practitioners. Techniques like slow breathing, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), and mindfulness-based training have been shown to decrease anxiety, burnout, and even physical symptoms of stress and tension. Programs such as Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), which combines breathing and meditation, have demonstrated improvements in physician wellness and reductions in burnout. Incorporating these practices into daily routines and as needed in stressful periods could offer long-term benefits for both stress management and overall well-being.
Social Support and Work-Life Balance
Social support and work-life balance have also been found to be important for reducing stress and burnout among healthcare providers. Supportive relationships with coworkers can help decrease feelings of grief, isolation, and emotional exhaustion by providing a safe space to share challenges and experiences with someone who understands. Equally important is fostering strong connections outside of work – with family, friends, and community – offering emotional relief and perspective beyond the demands of work. Encouraging a healthy work-life balance, where time is set aside for personal relationships, rest, and recovery, helps create a buffer against the chronic stressors of working in healthcare.
These steps can help reduce stress and prevent long-term high cortisol and burnout from working in a high-intensity field like healthcare. We have published natural stress support techniques and supplements, but if you need more comprehensive or individualized support, consult an ND for assistance.
