Ep255: Managing the Burnout, Anxiety, & Depression Created By Your "Busy Brain" | with Dr. Romie Mushtaq

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My guest today is Dr. Romie Mushtaq who is a board-certified physician who brings together more than two decades of leadership in neurology, integrative medicine, and mindfulness. She is the author of the recently published book, The Busy Brain Cure.

Dr. Romie offers a fresh approach to understanding stress, anxiety, and burnout from the perspective of a brain doctor. In our conversation, Dr. Romie and I talk about what she calls 'busy brain,' a condition stemming from unchecked stress and burnout, and how these can lead to burnout without us even realizing it. We dive deep into the symptoms of a busy brain and I reveal the score I got when I took Dr. Romie’s Busy Brain Test. We discuss what circumstances led to that score and she introduces me to the concept of Caregiver Burnout which was revelatory to me.

Dr. Romie knows the science of the busy brain but she also shows her deep empathy for anyone who may appear to have it all together but inside you are falling apart. She wants you to know that you are not alone and there is help. Dr. Romie provides your next steps to understanding your own chronic stresses to help you create a personalized path to healing.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

• Dr. Romie's origin story and what led her to write her book
• How modern society repackages meditation, mindfulness, healing as some 'new age cure' without addressing the real problem
• The difference between acute and chronic stress
• What is Hormetic stress
• The Busy Brain Test
• The differences between anxiety, depression and burnout
• KEY TAKE AWAY: Only trained professionals can diagnose depression, anxiety, and burnout.
• The top reasons for depression
• What are the symptoms of a busy brain
• How medications can lead to stimulant-sedative cycle
• The root cause of burnout
• How to practice non-attachment without detaching yourself from your goals

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Busy Brain Test

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Guest Bio:

Dr. Romie Mushtaq

Dr. Romie Mushtaq is a board-certified physician who brings together more than two decades of leadership in neurology, integrative medicine, and mindfulness. She is an award-winning speaker working with Fortune 500 companies, professional athletes, & global associations. Her brainSHIFT programs improve mental well-being and help to build a culture of wellness. Dr. Romie serves as Chief Wellness Officer for Evolution Hospitality, where she scaled a mindfulness & wellness program to over 7,000 employees. Her expertise is featured in the national media, such as NPR, NBC, TED talks, and Forbes. Her first book, The Busy Brain Cure is published by Harper Collins in January 2024.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).