A NATUROPATHIC APPROACH TO
Stress, Burnout & Nervous System Health
Chronic Stress, Burnout, Anxiety, Sleep Issues & Stress-Related Health Conditions
The Impact of Stress
Naturopathic Support for Chronic Stress, Burnout, Anxiety, Sleep Issues & Stress-Related Health Conditions
Stress is unavoidable—but chronic, unrelenting stress without adequate recovery can profoundly impact physical, mental, and emotional health. Many people live for years in a state of “high-functioning burnout,” pushing through fatigue, poor sleep, digestive issues, mood changes, and hormonal symptoms without realizing how deeply stress is affecting their bodies.
At Sequence Wellness, our licensed naturopathic doctors take a physiology-based approach to stress and burnout, focusing on nervous system regulation, hormonal balance, inflammation, and recovery. We support patients across Ontario through virtual naturopathic care, making evidence-informed stress support accessible wherever you live.
How Chronic Stress Affects the Body
Stress is not just a mental or emotional experience—it creates real, measurable changes in the body. Chronic stress can influence:
Cortisol and adrenal signaling
Blood sugar regulation
Thyroid function
Sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)
Immune system balance
Inflammation levels
Digestive motility and gut permeability
Sleep–wake cycles
Mood and cognitive function
When stress becomes persistent and recovery is insufficient, the body can shift into a state of nervous system dysregulation, where symptoms accumulate and resilience decreases.
Common Symptoms of Chronic Stress & Burnout
Patients often seek care for symptoms such as:
Persistent fatigue or “wired but tired” feeling
Sleep difficulties (difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking unrefreshed)
Anxiety or low mood
Brain fog or poor concentration
Digestive symptoms (IBS, bloating, reflux)
Hormonal changes or worsening PMS/perimenopause symptoms
Headaches or migraines
Muscle tension or chronic pain
Increased susceptibility to illness
Skin flares (eczema, psoriasis, acne, hives)
Burnout does not mean weakness—it often reflects a nervous system that has been asked to do too much for too long without enough recovery.
Our Naturopathic Approach to Stress & Burnout
Rather than simply “reducing stress,” our approach focuses on restoring nervous system capacity and resilience.
Comprehensive Assessment
We explore:
Symptom patterns
Sleep quality
Energy fluctuations
Work and life demands
Hormonal transitions (perimenopause, postpartum, menopause)
Digestive health
Nutrition and blood sugar regulation
Mental and emotional stressors
This helps us understand whether symptoms are driven by cortisol dysregulation, sleep disruption, inflammation, nutrient depletion, hormonal changes, or a combination.
Nervous System Regulation
Key areas of focus include:
Parasympathetic nervous system activation
Stress-response flexibility
Vagus nerve support
Restorative practices that support true recovery (not just distraction)
We often emphasize non-sleep deep rest, breathing practices, and nervous system-supportive routines that are realistic and sustainable.
Nutrition for Stress Resilience
Chronic stress increases nutrient demand. We support:
Blood sugar stability
Adequate protein and micronutrient intake
Anti-inflammatory dietary patterns
Reducing stress-exacerbating dietary triggers
Herbal & Nutraceutical Support
When appropriate, treatment may include:
Adaptogenic herbs
Nervine herbs
Sleep-supportive botanicals
Anti-inflammatory nutrients
Targeted supplementation based on symptoms and labs
All recommendations are individualized and safety-reviewed.
Hormonal & Metabolic Support
Stress strongly influences:
Cortisol rhythms
Thyroid signaling
Estrogen and progesterone balance
Insulin sensitivity
We often integrate stress care with hormonal or digestive treatment when symptoms overlap.
Collaborative Care
We frequently work alongside:
Psychotherapists
Family physicians
Psychiatrists (when medication is part of care)
Naturopathic care complements—not replaces—mental health support.
Testing That May Be Helpful
When indicated, testing may include:
Cortisol rhythm testing
Thyroid panel
Iron, ferritin, B12, vitamin D
Inflammatory markers
Blood sugar and insulin markers
Testing is used strategically, not routinely.
Our Approach to Care | The Process
Every person is an individual, but we have a systematic approach that allows for thoroughness as well as safety, as we abide by research supported medical guidelines to inform our assessment and care plans.
Comprehensive Assessment
Your initial visit includes a detailed health history exploring:
- Symptoms
- Sleep
- Stress, and recent work history
- Menstrual tracking
- Lifestyle factors
- Digestion
- Family history and medical history
We assess your symptoms through a root-cause lens—not just isolated complaints.
Evidence-Informed Lab Testing
We may recommend:
- Hormone panels (including stress hormones like cortisol, as well as thyroid hormone)
- Iron, ferritin, B12, vitamin D
- Metabolic markers (glucose, insulin, lipids)
- Inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR, ANA)
Testing helps rule out underlying causes of stress sensitivity (such as a thyroid condition, anemia, etc).
Personalized Treatment Planning
Your plan may include:
- Nutritional support if indicated
- Herbal medicine
- Supplements (evidence-informed, goal-specific)
- Lifestyle and stress strategies (often working in tandem with a psychotherapist)
- Bioidentical hormone therapy (when appropriate)
- Collaboration with your primary care provider
Ongoing Support & Monitoring
Hormone health shifts over time. We create follow-up plans that ensure you feel supported, monitored, and confident.
Getting started:
Why Patients Choose Sequence Wellness for Stress & Burnout Care
Evidence-informed, physiology-based approach
Focus on recovery, not just coping
Integration with hormone and digestive care
Virtual appointments across Ontario
Clear, compassionate communication
Practical strategies that fit real life
Meet Your Stress & Nervous System Support Team
All naturopathic doctors at Sequence Wellness support stress-related conditions, nervous system regulation, sleep concerns, and burnout recovery.
No Judgement | Cost Transparency | Your Health, Your Decisions
You’re Not Broken — You’re Depleted
Book a virtual appointment and begin rebuilding resilience.
We serve naturopathic patients all across Ontario!
Our service area includes:
Ottawa | Toronto | Hamilton | Kitchener | London | Oshawa | Windsor | St. Catharines | Barrie | Guelph | Kingston | Milton | Brantford | Thunder Bay | Sudbury | Peterborough | Belleville | Sarnia | Sault-Ste-Marie | Northbay | Cornwall | Timmins | Carleton Place
… And all small towns and rural areas in between! As we offer virtual appointments, our naturopathic patients have the flexibility to see us from the convenience of their home or office. And we rely on local laboratories (Lifelabs and Dynacare) to complete the testing required to do a complete assessment.
