Feeling burned out?  Yoga can help!

Burnout – a state of emotional, physical & mental exhaustion caused by excessive & prolonged stress.  It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained & unable to meet constant demands.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized “burnout” as an occupational phenomenon in 2019.  With the COVID lockdowns we lost the work / home life balance since so many of us worked from home.  Working from home allowed us to work longer hours and always be “on call”. 

Symptoms of burnout

·        Fatigue

·        Anxiety

·        Insomnia

·        Lowered immune function

·        Headaches

·        Digestive issues

·        Depression

·        Lost sense of joy or enthusiasm for life

·        Like life is overwhelming & everything is just too much

Work may be a common factor for burn out but it can also be caused by things like family issues & caretaking, health problems, any kind of chronic stress, perfectionists & those with a history of abuse & trauma.  To name just a few reasons why you experience burnout! 

What to do when you feel burnout coming on…because you probably will at some point!

Today’s world has the go-go-go mentality.  It makes it hard to take the time you need to step back to rest & recharge. So what are we supposed to do?  A bubble bath & glass of wine might not be enough to get you off the burnout hamster wheel.

How yoga can help with the burnout

First thing, you’ve gotta give yourself permission to get off the burnout hamster wheel & allow yourself the time to start recovering.  You might have to intentionally block off some time in your calendar and that’s ok! 

There are many different things you can do to help with meditation that you should have in your burnout relief toolbox.  Yoga & meditation have a place in there as well. Yoga is mindfulness in motion.  Mindfulness is when you’re more present in the moment.  When you learn to be present in the moment you are more able to cope with your monkey mind of thoughts & emotions in a healthier way. 

Yoga offers a way to help by promoting relaxation & creating a sense of restoration in your body & mind.  It can decrease & possibly prevent it.  There’s research to support this.  In the Journal of Clinical Medicine, they found that healthcare workers who practiced yoga & meditation, had lower levels of stress and burnout.  A study in Sustainability suggests that teachers who practice yoga achieve a greater awareness & help overcome burnout.

There’s all kinds of yoga, so which kind is best for burnout?

It really depends on you & your level of burnout.  Typically, you hear about restorative or Yin for burnout & relaxation.  If you want to feel more energized, though, then a vinyasa flow may be what you need.  Other options are meditation & breath work. 

Leaving the hamster burnout wheel

Spending just a few minutes a day on your practice will help relieve your burnout.  Caution though, of not beating yourself up & being too rigid on your practice length. 

The main idea for your yoga practice burnout prevention is focusing on your breath & breathing it into the tension you feel. That can be during a vinyasa flow, a restorative session or during meditation.

Another way to help burnout is to be easy to yourself.  To work on changing the thought patterns that you don’t have time to rest. Be patient with yourself while you find balance in your practice, self-care & compassion.  By finding that balance you might see where you are trying to push past your limits.  Take it one day at a time while you begin your exit off the hamster burnout wheel.  Remember, I’m here if you need me!

May you always stay true in your intentions, true to your hearts desires & speak loving truth to those around you. Love ya! Jennifer