We are all aware of the fast pace of life, the stress, and the daily responsibilities that often overwhelm us. In this whirlwind, it’s easy to lose touch with ourselves, to forget to pause and listen to what our body is telling us. Burnout is becoming more common, as the constant race for success slowly pulls us away from our true selves. This text is about my journey through such moments, my lessons, and the tools that have helped me find peace in the chaos.
I was “lucky” enough to face depression and anxiety near the end of my university studies. While I put “lucky” in quotes, let me tell you that this was the most terrifying experience of my life. Anyone who has gone through something similar knows exactly what I mean. I sought help in time, and with the right therapy, I recovered. However, just like an old injury can ache when the weather changes, this “condition” of mine lingered in the background, occasionally flaring up during “stormy seasons.”
What makes this circumstance truly fortunate is that through it, I learned to listen to what my soul and body are telling me and to follow those signals.
This isn’t just a lesson in recognizing symptoms or preventing problems – it’s about deeply understanding yourself and discovering the subtle messages your body sends every day, even when everything seems fine.
The messages I receive are varied, and each carries its weight and importance. Sometimes they come as a mild discomfort—an indication that something isn’t right, that it’s time for a change. Sometimes they take the form of “Change” (job, environment, diet), and sometimes “Don’t run away” (from challenges, responsibilities, love). These messages come at the most unexpected times and in different ways.
All these messages encourage me to stay in the moment, and to face challenges and responsibilities, even when I feel uncertain or overwhelmed. These are the moments when I need to remind myself that running away is never the solution—true strength lies in staying and confronting whatever comes my way.
I won’t bore you with my internal dialogues—I’m sure you have plenty of your own. Instead, I’ll share a wonderful tool that has helped me relax my body, focus my thoughts, and truly understand what “dream” I need to wake up from when my inner alarm goes off in the middle of the night.
It’s called Yoga Nidra.
I discovered it 15 years ago during my first yoga classes, and after just one session, I felt the benefits of this technique.
The practice is very simple: all you need to do is lie down comfortably on your back, close your eyes, breathe through your nose, and focus your attention on your entire body, part by part. Whenever your thoughts start to wander, bring your focus back to your breathing and your body.
The main goal of Yoga Nidra is to reach a state of deep relaxation and inner awareness, where your body is completely relaxed, but your mind stays awake. This state is similar to the feeling between being awake and asleep, where your mind becomes open to positive suggestions and self-reflection. Yoga Nidra is accessible to everyone, no matter your physical condition, and it can be practiced at any time of day, especially when you feel the need to relax or relieve stress.
You can find detailed instructions on YouTube. You might start with a guided version of the exercise, where you listen to a voice guiding you. Later, as you become more comfortable with the practice, you’ll easily slip into yoga nidra on your own and follow your rhythm.
At the end of the practice, remember – or even better, write down—the thoughts that have become clear to you. And if you happen to fall asleep during the exercise, that’s great too!
