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Book Club for this quarter is Burnout, written by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski. Emily Nagoski is also the author of another book we discussed Come as You Are.

Three components of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased sense of accomplishment. She also discusses human givers frequently, generally women, expected to give their time and attention to human beings, the givers give their humanity away to others.

Completing the stress cycle is the first issue that is tackled in the book. Stress versus stressor, what are the stressors and what stress is activate from that stressor. The example of the lion chasing you and completing the stress cycle by killing the lion. When your body is being hit by stressors all day, modern day life, your body shuts down to allow you to run away from the lion or beat the stress. Your digestive system, reproductive system, all critical function is suspended. How to identify the stress cycle

Completing the stress cycle: 1. the most efficient activity is physical activity 2. Breathing 3. Positive social interaction 4. Laughter 5. Affection 6. A big cry 7. creative expression. Wellness is not a state of being, it is a state of action. We think we are trying to reach this state of wellbeing but it’s not an end goal, it’s continued steps in the right direction. What little action or thing can you do, doesn’t have to be perfect but it’s a continuation in the right direction.

The monitor is the next part of the book where she discusses the brain mechanism that signals your brain with a work to effort ratio. Whether the task at hand is meeting the expectation of how much effort should be given to the task. When expectations do not meet reality it can create stress and rage that builds. Oscillating between rage and helpless despair – and the ability to give up on something, the choice to give up on something puts you in the driver’s seat. You can own the decision.

Meaning and finding something larger in life is so important. Ambitious goals, service, loving relationships. This human giver syndrome can strip us of meaning and forces us to be attentive only to the needs of others. Symptoms include a moral obligation, you owe it to be pretty, happy, calm, generous and attentive to the needs of others. Failure to do that means you are a failure as a person.

Human giver syndrome thrives when expectations are not met or when things don’t go right. Judgement about how you look and the bias against those that look overweight. The stress of thinking your body is not conforming to the correct form can actually be worse for your health than the actual weight.

Healing hurts, allow yourself to feel the injury and heal from it. The emotional injury is significant and real. Keep completing the cycle and

We want to help women prevent burnout and find joy and clarity on their purpose. Joy is the internal clarity of purpose. Finding this will help you resolve the stress, understand it, and complete the cycle.