We’ve all been there, the feeling of overwhelm, dis-connection, self-care out the window, no time or space to get your shiz together? Sound familiar?

Burn out is a modern-day problem, and there is no wonder with the daily onslaught of stimulation from phones, computers, traffic, noise, general busyness, and all the rest!

Added to this you may also be experiencing the biggest shit storm of your life in peri or menopause.

Here are a few signs that you are burning out, and a few tips from the Yoga tradition that may just help you.

Signs of burn out.

1.     Not feeling good enough and imposter syndrome.

This is always the first sign for me when my energy is going down. Time to push re set.

 

2.    Disconnection and withdrawal. 

You may feel the need to draw inward, be alone and not want to engage in the outside world. This is a sign that you need to pull inward to conserve your energy.

 

 

3.    Disinterest.

You may feel that things that used to inspire you no longer give you that buzz.

 

 

 

4.    No energy.

You feel heavy and lethargic. You want to sleep longer and no matter how much sleep you get, you wake up feeling drained with no spark for life.

 

 

5.    Procrastination and overwhelm cycles.

You put things off, feeling overwhelmed at the slightest tasks. This goes round in a cycle as you are aware your tasks building up and with no energy to complete any of it, you go round and round in circles in your head, exhausting yourself even further.

 

6.    Anger and frustration, emotional outbursts.

 

You feel out of control, no longer able to complete simple tasks, your body feel total overwhelm, your head ready to explode, one thing tips you over and who ever is in the firing line gets it full throttle. You then end up in another cycle of guilt and regret.

 

 

7.    Lower self-care and exercise.

With no energy and little interest in anything, self-care goes out the window, along with movement. With less movement, your body may feel stiff, aches and pains, you feel heavy and tired, you may be suffering with depression and turn to TV snacking, alcohol and late nights which perpetuate the cycle of menopausal symptoms, burn out and weight gain.

A sad story, and oh so common for many women today. So, what is the answer?

Yogic lifestyle has some of the answers to a World that is out of balance.     

Here are my 10 tips to help you if you are in burn out or close to it.

1.      Ground in nature, take a gentle walk daily, even 10 minutes will make all the difference. Make yourself some natural nourishing food, simple soups are amazing!

 

2.     Be kind and gentle with yourself. Gentle affirmations like “I am doing my best” will really help.

 

 

3.     Aim to calm the nervous system. Remove external stimuli for at least one hour a day. Phones and computers off by 9pm.

 

4.     Take the time to add relaxation into your day, 10 minutes daily will do it. It would be good if you can take a week off work and simply Be.

 

 

5.      Create a Yin or restorative Yoga practice and repeat daily, this has recharged my energy the fastest of all the practices I do when I’m bordering burn out.

 

6.      Dance and play! There is nothing better for the Soul than a good boogie. Put on some of your favourite tunes and move! Have fun, we take life way to seriously, take time out to do something that lights you up!

 

 

7.     Journal. Take some time to sit, light a candle, maybe add Cacao if you love it and journal out everything you feel, the good, bad and ugly. Let it all out. You can burn it later!

8.     Wind down for bed. A chamomile tea, or golden milk, gratitude and reflection journal is great to do before bed to close off the day, followed by a lovely foot massage to ground you before sleeping.

 

9.     Reach out to your sisters. There is nothing more healing that being in the company of other Women. Women really are medicine, and they get you! Find a community of like-minded Women near you, and if you are lucky enough to have one you can access, join a Women’s Circle.

 

 

10.  Breathe. I know it may sound daft, you breathe every moment, but conscious breath, where you are fully present, slow breaths calm the mind and become your best friend. Try a breath count of 4 counts in and 6 – 8 counts out for a few minutes a day, it will really help.