Stress and burnout have become common in today’s fast-paced world, but many people make a fundamental mistake when trying to manage these challenges. Dr. Camilla Moore, a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and a stress management expert, believes that most individuals jump straight to treatment without a proper evaluation of the root cause. In a recent episode of 21st Century Entrepreneurship, Dr. Moore discussed the importance of understanding the core factors behind burnout, stress, and imposter syndrome, and how identifying them can make a transformative difference.
The Overlooked Key to Burnout
Many of us experience stress daily, yet few pause to consider where it's truly coming from. According to Dr. Moore, the most common mistake people make when trying to tackle burnout and imposter syndrome is treating the symptoms without evaluating the root cause.
"We would never go to the doctor without having an assessment and accept a treatment without a full evaluation, but when it comes to stress management and burnout, that is exactly what happens," she explains.
Her personal journey reflects this common misstep. After years of caregiving, working in healthcare during the height of COVID, and undergoing fertility treatments, she found herself mentally and physically exhausted. Despite adjusting her exercise, sleep, and eating habits, Dr. Moore still didn’t feel better. That’s when she realized that these changes were treating the surface symptoms, not the core issues.
Identifying the Root Causes
Dr. Moore emphasizes that burnout often stems from deeper, overlooked sources. In her journey, she discovered that addressing her inner critic was crucial. She realized her stress wasn’t just about lifestyle choices like diet or exercise; it was tied to unresolved fears and imposter syndrome.
"One of the big components was this inner critic voice... leading to imposter syndrome," she shares.
Dr. Moore’s experience highlights a critical insight: stress is often connected to unaddressed root fears. By identifying and accepting these fears, people can address the actual cause of their burnout and start the healing process.
The Smart Program: A Roadmap to Recovery
Dr. Moore is a certified instructor of the Stress Management Resiliency Training (SMART) program, developed by the Benson Henry Mind Body Institute at Harvard Medical School. The program offers a structured, evidence-based approach to tackling stress and burnout, helping individuals evaluate their specific stressors and develop personalized solutions.
As she explains, "We know that in the U.S., 44% of people are burnt out daily...but we have so few resources to actually quantify where our stress is coming from." The SMART program provides bite-sized assessments and tools to help users create personalized roadmaps to recovery. For Dr. Moore, this program was the key to regaining confidence, energy, and focus.
Confidence, Energy, and Focus: The Three Pillars
Dr. Moore highlights three essential components for overcoming stress and imposter syndrome: confidence, energy management, and focus.
Confidence: Stress often stems from unrecognized fears, and imposter syndrome is no different. Dr. Moore guides individuals through identifying their root fears, like the fear of failure or rejection. "Once you identify the root fear, you can accept it, reframe it, and start building confidence," she says.
Energy Management: Burnout occurs when we give more than we receive. The SMART program's "energy battery" exercise helps individuals quantify their energy output and intake, ensuring that they strike a balance between work and personal life. Dr. Moore recalls a patient who, after evaluating her energy balance, made a life-changing decision to drop a stressful job role that didn’t align with her goals, enabling her to focus on her true passions.
Focus: By addressing their root fears and managing their energy, individuals can regain focus. Dr. Moore explains, "With renewed focus, we can chase after what really matters, whether it's building a business or spending more time with family."
Personal Transformation Through the SMART Program
Dr. Moore’s personal and professional transformation illustrates the profound impact of the SMART program. She learned to identify her stressors, confront her fears, and manage her energy more effectively. The program’s structured approach allowed her to overcome feelings of guilt and regain control over her life.
"I now have the confidence to move forward in my business, the energy to be the mother I want to be, and the focus on what is truly important," she reflects.
Takeaway and Call to Action
Stress and burnout are part of life for many people, but, as Dr. Moore reminds us, it's possible to overcome them by addressing the root causes rather than just treating the symptoms. Her journey and the SMART program offer a clear roadmap for those looking to improve their confidence, energy management, and focus.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start, consider Dr. Moore’s five-step process for addressing imposter syndrome: 1) Identify the negative internal dialogue, 2) Play the “what if” game to reveal root fears, 3) Accept those fears, 4) Practice mindfulness, and 5) Reframe negative thoughts into positive ones.
For those looking to dive deeper into stress management and imposter syndrome, Dr. Moore offers a comprehensive on-demand version of the SMART program, complete with live sessions, evaluations, and personalized guidance. As Dr. Moore says, "It’s a great place to start for people with busy lives who know they need help."
To learn more, visit her website at www.thewellnesscabinet.co or connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.
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