Chronic Stress & Burnout: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Stress is a normal part of life, but when it becomes constant and overwhelming, it can take a serious toll on both mental and physical health. Chronic stress and burnout are two closely related but distinct concerns. Chronic stress occurs when the body and mind remain in a prolonged state of tension, while burnout happens when ongoing stress leads to complete emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion.

At Modified Wellness, we understand how these challenges can affect your ability to function, connect with others, and enjoy life. Led by Jade Bunkers-Groh, RN, our team provides evidence-based therapies, including Exomind transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), to help you recover your sense of balance and well-being. If stress and burnout are holding you back, we invite you to book a consultation and explore safe, effective solutions.

Understanding Chronic Stress & Burnout

What Is Chronic Stress?

Chronic stress is the body’s prolonged response to ongoing pressures—whether from work, family responsibilities, financial strain, or health issues. Unlike short-term or acute stress, which triggers a temporary release of adrenaline and cortisol to give you the energy to face a challenge, chronic stress keeps these hormones elevated for too long. 

When stress hormones like cortisol stay high, they can disrupt sleep, weaken the immune system, raise blood pressure, and contribute to fatigue, irritability, and other health issues. Over time, this constant “on edge” state leaves both the mind and body drained.

Common symptoms of chronic stress include:

• Persistent worry or tension

• Muscle tension, headaches, or digestive issues

• Difficulty concentrating

• Irritability or mood swings

• Fatigue or trouble sleeping

• Unintended weight gain or loss

  
  

Left untreated, chronic stress can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and a weakened immune system.

What Is Burnout?

Burnout develops when long-term stress depletes your emotional reserves. It is often linked to work but can also result from caregiving, parenting, or other ongoing demands.

Symptoms may include:

• Emotional exhaustion and feeling “empty”

• Loss of motivation or productivity

• Detachment from responsibilities or relationships

• Cynicism or negativity

• A sense of being “stuck” with no way forward

  
  

What Causes Chronic Stress & Burnout?

Several factors can contribute to stress and burnout, including:

• Work pressures: Long hours, high demands, or lack of support can drain mental and physical energy.

• Personal responsibilities: Caregiving, parenting, and financial strain often create ongoing pressure.

• Perfectionism or unrealistic expectations: Setting impossible standards can leave you feeling inadequate.

• Lack of rest or recovery: Without breaks or time to recharge, the nervous system remains in “fight or flight” mode.

• Trauma or past experiences: Stress can linger if unresolved emotional wounds remain unaddressed.

• Lifestyle factors: Poor sleep, limited physical activity, and unhealthy eating patterns can worsen stress responses.

  
  

Understanding the root causes allows us to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses not only symptoms but also the underlying drivers.

How Exomind Addresses Stress & Burnout

Exomind is a breakthrough, noninvasive therapy that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation, focus, and resilience. This treatment, an advanced form of TMS therapy (transcranial magnetic stimulation), helps “reset” overactive stress pathways and restore healthier brain function.

Exomind is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder and widely studied for related conditions such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Many patients experiencing chronic stress or burnout find that Exomind improves their ability to relax, concentrate, and feel motivated again.

Benefits of Exomind

Patients often notice:

• Reduced feelings of anxiety and overwhelm

• Improved mood and emotional stability

• Sharper focus and mental clarity

• Better quality of sleep

• Renewed motivation and energy

• Enhanced resilience to future stressors

  
  

Because Exomind is noninvasive, it does not require anesthesia or medication and involves no downtime. Most people can return to work or daily activities immediately after each session.

Why Choose Modified Wellness?

At Modified Wellness, your care is guided by Jade Bunkers-Groh, RN, who brings expertise, compassion, and a whole-person approach to mental health and wellness. Our center in Remsen, Iowa, is dedicated to providing integrative support that addresses both mind and body.

Other Solutions to Explore

In addition to Exomind therapy, other supportive treatments and stress management strategies can be part of your plan for recovery:

• Counseling or psychotherapy: Talking with a licensed mental health professional can help identify stress patterns, improve coping skills, and strengthen resilience.

• Medication management: For some individuals, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may help stabilize mood.

• Lifestyle changes: Nutrition support, exercise, and sleep hygiene play vital roles in reducing stress.

• Relaxation techniques: Meditation, yoga, tai chi, and deep breathing exercises can help calm your nervous system and lower cortisol.

  
  

These solutions can be combined to create a comprehensive path to healing.

Take the Next Step

If you are struggling with chronic stress or burnout, you are not alone—and you don’t have to push through it by yourself. At Modified Wellness in Remsen, Iowa, we are here to provide tools, treatments, and compassionate care to help you recover balance and joy.

Schedule a consultation today to learn how Exomind and our integrative wellness services can support your journey. Relief is possible, and a healthier, more energized life can be within reach.