By: Ravi Kaiut – Naturopath, Masters in Neuroscience and Yoga Teacher
The practice of Yoga has proven to be a powerful ally in preventing burnout, acting both on physical strengthening and emotional balance. According to data from the National Association of Occupational Medicine (Anamt), approximately 30% of Brazilian workers face burnout, an extreme work-related exhaustion, which in 2022 was recognized as an occupational disease by the World Health Organization (WHO).
What is Burnout?
Burnout is a physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and intense stress at work. Symptoms include extreme tiredness, lack of motivation, lack of pleasure in activities and difficulty concentrating. People with this syndrome often feel exhausted and may experience constant disconnection or irritation with work, affecting not only productivity but also overall well-being.
How Yoga Helps Prevent Burnout
Yoga is a comprehensive practice that combines breathing exercises, stretching, and moments of introspection that help calm the mind and reduce anxiety. Techniques like these promote a state of reconnection with the present, helping to control stress and improve emotional balance. This physical and mental strengthening helps to create a barrier against burnout.
5 Yoga Poses to Prevent Burnout
- Virasana (Hero Pose)
Sit on your knees with your hips resting on your heels and your hands resting on your thighs. This pose promotes calmness and stability. - Sukhasana (Easy Pose)
Sit on the floor with your legs crossed and your hands resting on your knees. This pose promotes relaxation and mental balance, and can be combined with breathing techniques to deepen your state of peace. - Padottanasana (Standing Stretch)
Stand with your legs parallel and bend forward, keeping your legs straight. This pose helps relieve tension in your back and improves circulation. - Viparita Karani (Legs-up-the-Wall Pose)
Lie on your back and raise your legs up against a wall. This pose is restorative and helps relieve tension in your legs and lower back. - Janu Sirsasana (Head-to-Knee Pose)
Sit with one leg extended and the other bent, with the foot resting on the inner thigh of the extended leg. Lean forward, lengthening the spine. This pose promotes stretching and mental calmness.
These yoga poses, in addition to helping you relax, encourage a break from your daily routine, promoting self-awareness and self-care – essential elements to avoid the emotional and physical exhaustion caused by work stress. Practicing these techniques regularly can make a significant difference in preventing burnout and promoting a more balanced and healthy life.
