Professional stress and the biology of performance: what no one teaches aesthetic physicians

Aesthetic medicine is a profession that requires constant professional development, a high degree of technical precision, and a strong ability to manage patients, expectations, and responsibilities. However, there is one aspect that is rarely covered in medical training: understanding how stress affects a physician’s professional performance and health.

With the aim of addressing this issue from a scientific and practical perspective, IT Pharma hosted the webinar “Professional stress and the biology of performance: what no one teaches aesthetic physicians” led by Dr. Jesús Chicón, who shared the biological mechanisms that explain how stress affects our performance and what strategies can help us prevent professional burnout.

A brain designed for survival

One of the key concepts discussed during the session was the understanding that, from a biological perspective, we still operate using mechanisms originally developed to ensure our survival.

Although today’s challenges are very different from those faced by our ancestors, the body responds in a similar way to situations such as financial pressure, the demands of patient care, clinical responsibility, the constant evaluation of patients, or exposure on social media.

In these circumstances, the body triggers an alarm response by releasing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. In the short term, this mechanism is adaptive and beneficial, as it improves attention, reaction time, and performance. The problem arises when this activation persists over time.

When stress becomes a problem

During the webinar, Dr. Chicón explained the difference between acute stress and chronic stress.

Occasional stress is part of the body’s natural coping mechanisms. In these situations, cortisol even has a protective and anti-inflammatory effect that helps the body cope with periods of increased stress.

However, when stress persists over time without adequate recovery, this response ceases to be beneficial. Cortisol then begins to act as an immunosuppressive and pro-inflammatory factor, contributing to the onset of symptoms such as persistent fatigue, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, loss of motivation, and decreased work performance.

This process can ultimately lead to burnout syndrome, an increasingly common reality among healthcare professionals.

The myth of multitasking

Another topic discussed during the session was the impact of multitasking on performance.

As the specialist explained, multitasking doesn’t really exist. What actually happens is a continuous shift of attention between different tasks, a process known as ” switching.”

Every time we interrupt an activity to reply to messages, check emails, or respond to other stimuli, the brain must reorganize its resources and activate different neural circuits. This process requires a significant amount of energy and contributes to mental exhaustion.

That’s why it’s often not the amount of work that causes the most fatigue, but rather the way we manage our attention throughout the day.

The cost of not making decisions

Decision-making also has a significant biological component.

During the webinar, it was emphasized that procrastination not only affects productivity but also emotional well-being. Leaving decisions unresolved prolongs the activation of alert mechanisms and constantly drains cognitive resources.

In other words, putting off important decisions also takes a toll.

To avoid this, Dr. Chicón recommended setting aside specific times to address important issues and shared a simple strategy called the “4D Rule”: “Decisions are made on Sunday after breakfast.”

Beyond the anecdote, the message is clear: important decisions should be made when you are calm and thinking clearly, and you should avoid making them when you are under pressure, tired, or stressed.

The biological rescue network

To conclude the session, Dr. Chicón reminded the audience that our bodies have the tools to protect our health and performance as long as we follow certain basic principles.

Among these, he emphasized the importance of chronobiology—respecting the natural cycles of sleep and wakefulness to promote physical and mental recovery.

He also emphasized the importance of daily physical activity, noting that the real problem is not a lack of exercise, but rather a sedentary lifestyle over time—one of the factors that contributes most to the progressive decline in health.

Finally, he emphasized the importance of nutrition as the foundation of physical performance. The quality of the food we eat directly influences our energy levels, our cognitive abilities, and our response to stress.

Understanding biology to improve performance

Throughout the session, attendees came to understand that professional performance depends not only on technical knowledge or clinical experience, but also on the ability to properly manage the biological mechanisms that regulate stress.

Using an approach based on neurobiology and performance physiology, Dr. Jesús Chicón offered practical tools for identifying habits that contribute to burnout and replacing them with strategies that enable the development of a healthier and more sustainable professional career over time.

A session of great interest to all professionals who seek to care not only for their patients but also for their own well-being.