47: Chronic Stress – The brain-body connection

Stress and burnout, which we explored in the last episode of Sound Optometry, is far from uncommon in optometrists. In this episode, Michelle Hanratty uncovers the severe implications that chronic stress can have on the health of optometrists in the future. How can we reverse its damage? Michelle is joined by Professor Anna Whittaker, a health psychologist at the University of Stirling, who highlights the role of cortisol in stress responses and its long-term effects on mood, weight, sleep and the immune system. Professor Vanja Duric, a neuroscientist at Des Moines University in Iowa, also elaborates on how chronic stress can affect the brain in an unexpected number of ways. Listen to our previous episode on how to address the root causes of stress in the workplace (episode 46).  If you have a topic in mind that you’d like us to cover, or if you’ve got an interesting case study you’d like to share, send Docet a message on LinkedIn. GOC-registered optometrists practising in England, Wales or Northern Ireland can gain 1 CPD point by listening to this podcast and completing the exercise on our website. This episode covers the GOC domains of Professionalism, and Leadership and Accountability. Docet - dedicated to providing quality optometric education and professional development.