After three years as a full-time yoga teacher in Los Angeles, I hit a wall in 2013 and felt a sense of exhaustion that I'll never forget. Something started to feel off after whizzing back and forth across the sprawling city in a car for a few years on the daily, stopping at various studios, gyms, rehabilitation Centers, a high school, and private residences to talk about and teach the practices that had changed my life.
You see, I had previously gleaned a lot of satisfaction from teaching yoga and knowing that I had chosen and shaped such a rewarding and unusual path for myself to embark upon, one in which I would get to share with others the practices that had helped me establish a greater sense of inner peace within myself through an ancient practice based largely on poses, breath, and meditation. The essential hustle felt exhilarating and well worth it at first, despite its creative demands and difficult nature. There was a part of me that thought I was a spiritual seeker on a mission to help others and spread the wisdom that had changed my life. Unfortunately, I was teaching something I didn't fully understand at the time, and it was this misunderstanding that lead me to one of my greatest teachers: Burnout.
I can still picture myself sitting in my worn out executive chair, staring out the third-floor window of my five-bedroom West LA apartment, where I lived with four other international housemates. There and then, I realized that all I wanted to do was sit in that chair and stare out the window. In the sense of the entirety of the day. I felt mostly hopeless, with the exception of the times I had to muster up enough energy and enthusiasm to actually show up and do my job as a teacher. When I first showed up to practice with the people who had shown up to do so with me, I felt full, energized, and glad for the opportunity to impart the teachings that would definitely have at least a fleeting influence on them. But now that inspiration, drive, and enthusiasm were no longer part of my life, I felt empty, numb, and drained. Since I hadn't yet learned the value of healthy self-resourcement and self-care, I'd neglected my yoga practice and overestimated my abilities.
Burnout is a condition characterized by physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion as a result of prolonged stress, pressure, or overwork. Individuals who work in high-stress jobs, such as healthcare professionals, first responders, corporate executives, and teachers, are more likely to suffer from it.
Fatigue, loss of motivation, decreased job satisfaction, decreased productivity, feelings of cynicism or detachment, and physical symptoms such as headaches, sleep disturbances, and digestive problems are all symptoms of burnout.
Burnout can have serious consequences for a person's health and well-being, so it's critical to recognize the symptoms and take steps to prevent or manage it. Making changes to one's work environment, finding ways to reduce stress, and prioritizing self-care and relaxation may all be part of this. In severe cases, burnout may necessitate medical intervention as well as time away from work.
Getting out of burnout requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the underlying causes of stress and burnout, as well as the physical, emotional, and mental symptoms.
Here are some steps that can help:
Identify the cause of burnout: Understanding what is causing your burnout is the first step in addressing it. This could be due to work-related stress, relationship problems, financial concerns, or other personal issues.
Take a break: Taking a break from work or the source of stress is essential in the recovery process. This could be a few days off, a week-long vacation, or a longer period of time, depending on your situation.
Engage in self-care: Taking care of your physical and emotional well-being is essential in the recovery process. This could include activities such as exercise, meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature.
Seek support: Talking to friends, family, or a therapist can provide emotional support and help you gain a new perspective on your situation.
Improve sleep: Getting enough quality sleep can help you recover from burnout. Make sure to establish a regular sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine.
Address unhealthy coping mechanisms: If you have been relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms such as alcohol, drugs, or overeating, it is important to address these behaviors and find healthier ways to cope with stress.
Manage stress: Learning stress-management techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, or mindfulness can help you cope with stress and prevent burnout.
Set boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life can help you avoid burnout by reducing the amount of stress you experience.
Make changes: If the cause of your burnout is work-related, consider making changes to your job or career. This could include finding a new job, switching to a less stressful role, or reducing your workload.
One of the things that helped me the most was receiving bodywork. Massage therapy can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can help to alleviate the physical and emotional symptoms of burnout. Massage can also help to relieve muscle tension and improve circulation, which can help to reduce physical pain and discomfort. It also improves mind/body awareness which is important to cultivate in order to recognize when we are getting out of balance.
Making my own yoga practice a priority again was also extremely helpful in my recovery from burnout. Yoga can be beneficial for managing burnout, as it is a gentle and effective way to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Yoga has been shown to help reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can contribute to symptoms of burnout. Additionally, yoga can help to improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and improve overall well-being, all of which can be helpful for managing burnout. Practices like Yin and Restorative yoga can be extremely helpful when energy and motivation are low.
Thankfully, after a little time away and a lot of self care, my well being and inspiration were restored and might I say perhaps even up leveled. I also took a road trip across the country, did a lot of journaling, began using essential oils, took lots of baths, spent loads of time in nature and in the company of good friends. All of these things and especially the support of my community helped tremendously. Receiving regular massages and recommitting to my yoga practice also helped to improve body awareness, which was helpful in identifying and managing symptoms of burnout thereafter. Now I know exactly how to address the very first symptoms of burnout when they come.
Remember, getting out of burnout takes time and effort. It is important to be patient and kind to yourself, and to seek support when needed. With the right approach, you can overcome burnout and regain your energy, motivation, and well-being.
Overall, massage and yoga can be helpful tools in managing symptoms of burnout, but it's important to remember that they are not a cure-all. If you're experiencing symptoms of burnout, it's important to seek support from a healthcare provider or mental health professional who can help you develop a comprehensive plan for managing your symptoms and regaining your energy and enthusiasm for life.