Feeling burnt out can increase your blood pressure; note these warning signs

Blood pressure means the pressure at which your blood flows through the arteries, veins, and blood vessels inside your body. If your blood pressure is high, which could be caused by several reasons, then you could be at a higher risk of heart disease and even premature death.

There are several common causes of high BP such as age, eating too much salt, not exercising enough etc.

However, there is another significant sign - burnout, which can have both physical and mental manifestations.

According to charity Mental Health UK, burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion. “It can occur when you experience long-term stress in your job, or when you have worked in a physically or emotionally draining role for a long time.”

So how can burnout lead to high levels of blood pressure?

Burnout or long-term stress can increase your blood pressure. When someone is feeling stressed, their body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can raise one’s heart rate and constrict their blood vessels as well, causing their blood pressure to spike. Several studies have shown that high levels of cortisol for a long period of time can negatively impact the body.

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According to health experts, stress is a form of inflammation. While some positive stress or inflammation can be good for you – the type of stress response we feel when we get excited – too much of it can put undue stress on the body. Excessive inflammation can even lead to chronic health conditions.

According to Mental Health UK, experiencing these symptoms could be a sign of having a burnout:

-Feeling tired or drained most of the time

-Feeling helpless, trapped and/or defeated

-Feeling detached or alone

-Procrastinating and taking longer to get things done

-Feeling overwhelmed

-Self-doubt

-Having a cynical or a negative outlook

Read more: Heart attack: Study reveals 12 symptoms that appear 1 month before the event

Burnout is a mental health condition which should not be ignored and dismissed. Taking certain measures to de-stress may help. These include:

-Exercise

-Eating healthy foods

-Reducing alcohol and caffeine intake

-Practicing yoga, meditation or deep breathing

-Listening to music

Reducing burnout will also help to reduce your high blood pressure. In case you need help, do not hesitate to consult your doctor or a therapist. Talking therapy with a professional can improve your symptoms and help you feel better.