Signs of the Dash & Crash Stresser

Go from high gear to big crash
After-the-fact stresser
Must retreat or withdraw for several days to recover
No energy
Listless
Irritable
Overemotional
Poor concentration
Exercise Intolerance
Nausea

Diseases and Illnesses Affecting

Dash & Crash Stressers

You are prone to:
Ulcers
Performance incompetence
Progressive, profound fatigue
Lack of motivation
Inability to initiate new activities
Burnout
Decreased libido

You seem to hold up well during periods of stress but tend to collapse in a heap once it has passed. You often need several days to recover from your response to stress. You have difficulty interacting with the world around you during these periods, but luckily, this is a temporary state you can learn to control.

Diet Recommendations for Dash & Crash Stressers

You can avoid the devastating collapses you are prone to with a diet rich in tyrosine, an essential amino acid found in a protein-rich diet. Foods rich in vitamin C and zinc are good for you.

Exercise Guidelines for Dash & Crash Stressers

Since you require complete restoration, start your exercise program after you are rested. Gentle stretching, yoga classes, a leisurely stroll or casual bike ride are the proper ways to increase your energy. Once you are rested, you can start a more energetic exercise program.

Relaxation Techniques for Dash & Crash Stressers

Your restoration techniques will focus on restoring energy and vitality. Pamper yourself, practice diaphragmatic breathing and get gentle massages.

Real Life: A Dash & Crash Stresser

Julia is a 41-year-old wife and mother of two children, ages 9 and 11. Twice a month,
Julia’s husband organizes a special Saturday with the kids so she can have some time alone to pamper herself or hang out with friends. Her husband became concerned, though, when her idea of time off was to climb into bed and pull the covers over her head. He was sure she was depressed or that her hormones were imbalanced, so he encouraged Julia to see Dr. Beth. Julia told Dr. Beth that her episodes of extreme exhaustion were not cyclic and had nothing to do with her monthly cycles. She was just juggling a lot: they were renovating the kitchen, so they were living in a construction site; the children played sports, so she was running them back and forth to practices; and they had a new puppy who was very time-consuming and demanding. Overwhelmed and anxious, she was having difficulty sleeping and had no desire to eat, even if her kitchen had been in working order.

Julia explained that while she did it all, the prospect of an extended break with nothing to do caused her to let it all go and collapse. By the time her family returned at the end of the day, she was restored and happy to hear about their adventures. Dr. Beth explained that her collapses were a stress response that she could avoid by following the Dash & Crash Stresser Detox Program (found in Chapter 9).