How I Used Yoga Nidra to Overcome Burnout
Burnout has become an all too common topic these days. And it’s completely understandable why, when we take a step back to zoom out at our lifestyles, we can see just how unsustainable it can be.
We have a system set in place in the Western Culture that encourages us to work long hours, spending more time in our cars and at work than with family or having time to do the things we love. When I worked a 9-5, I knew early on that setting wasn’t for me. Not just because I need at least 6 hours in the morning to prepare me to leave the house….oh I’m only kidding, it’s really more like 5 1/2 hours.
For five years I was living on island or European lifestyle, not living in the states and somewhat forgetting just how busy it can be. How much we work and how much energy is expended, even when we desperately need a break.
Getting readjusted to the American way has been a challenge. I know that for my health and my nervous system, I need those slower mornings and more time to nourish myself. I even went to a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner to discuss this and he said, “Johnna, this is part of your core self, and won’t change much, you need a slower-paced life than most.”
Okay, didn’t need to tell me twice.
I was living in Bali at this time so I had all the space to begin slowing down even more to nourish my nervous system. So I began Yoga Nidra off and on throughout the year and then moving back to the states I began listening to one daily.
In April this year I felt burned out, I had nothing left to give. My health had taken a bit of a nose-dive as my stress of not having a job combined with so much more caused my emotional state to get very out of balance and with it went the health that I’d worked hard to achieve.
As I laid on the floor in my room feeling deeply depressed I knew, I could either sink down in to it or I could give it the space it needed then transcend the sadness. Depression is something that I’ve had off and on throughout my life so over time I’d developed some tools and skills to move out of it. Except this time, I didn’t want it coming back so I wanted to get to the bottom of what it was.
I could feel an underlying sense of sadness in the middle of my chest, even when I was smiling and having a good day. When I’d feel this I’d speak to it, I’d say, “I know you’re there sadness, I’m not sure why, but I accept you being here.” Over time, it was revealed to me what this deep sadness was and it began to leave my body.
What I did on a daily basis that I know helped me out sooner than later…
First, I had the willingness to look at this depression and burnout face on, not hide, distract, or ignore but make space for it. This willingness enabled me to help myself more deeply than I had in the past experiences.
I dove deep into self-awareness and what this meant. I observed how I showed up and interacted with people in all facets of my life, this enabled me to quickly see what my energy could handle and set boundaries for what it couldn’t.
I made a list of things I know bring joy and I did them as often as I could….be it a tub soak, a walk, time to read a book, pick flowers, garden, do yoga, meditate…and I did it on days I especially didn’t feel like it. I chose something off the list and each time, I felt lighter.
Daily journaling and yoga nidra to start off every day, and sometimes at the end of each day. Using these tools in tandem with one another has been the biggest game changer. Each meditation would reveal a small layer of emotion to be shed or thought I could reframe and as I welcomed in each shift, within just a few weeks I was feeling light years better!
Burnout is a physical response to an emotional, fear of being seen. This whole wave of burnout hit when I published my book and opened up to broaden the horizons of my business, in order for me to be successful in these endeavors, it requires me TO BE SEEN by others. It requires me to be a different version of myself in order to create the life that suits me best. That version requires me to heal old thought patterns associated with being seen by a large group of people.
Have you been able to take time for yourself during burnout?
How have you been able to bring yourself out of it? Or could some of these tools I used work for you now or next time?
I believe these tools can work not only during burnout but all of the time, to help keep you moving in a direction to transcend from vibrations that bring you down mentally and physically.
You can download the FREE YOGA NIDRA I have on the website and stay tuned to receive more via email!
Photo by nikko macaspac on Unsplash