The end of the year can feel like a race to the finish line. Social plans stack up. Deadlines loom. We give into the push to “finish strong”. So many of us are running on fumes, it's easy to end up feeling drained or even detached from the world around us.
If this sounds familiar, there’s nothing wrong with you.
What you’re experiencing isn’t weakness or failure — it’s burnout. And your body is asking for something different.
What is burnout, really?
Burnout isn't just being tired.
It’s a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by long-term stress. Your nervous system has been working overtime for so long that it’s forgotten how to settle.
You might notice:
Exhaustion that sleep doesn't fix
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Feeling detached, numb, or flat
Anxiety that seems to come from nowhere
A body that feels heavy, tense, or constantly on edge
Burnout happens when your nervous system gets stuck in survival mode — always bracing, always switched on, always preparing for the next thing. And the tricky part? Once you're in it, even rest can feel impossible. Your body doesn't remember how to soften.
Burnout expert Professor Marie Åsberg describes this as an exhaustion funnel: a gradual downward spiral where we gradually give up the things that nourish us, until we’re left mostly with what drains us.
Once we reach deep exhaustion, climbing back out can feel overwhelming.
But there is good news: your nervous system can learn to settle again.
How to rebalance once you’ve hit burnout
Healing burnout isn’t about doing more. Your nervous system can learn to settle again with gentle, consistent reminders that it's safe to do so. Here are some practices that can help:
1. Breathwork that actually calms
When your nervous system is dysregulated, your breath is usually shallow and fast. Slowing it down sends a direct signal to your body that you're safe. Try this: inhale for four, hold for four, exhale for six. That longer exhale helps activate your rest-and-digest response.
2. Move gently (or barely at all)
You don't need to power through a workout. In fact, high-intensity exercise can add stress when you're already depleted. What helps is gentle, restorative movement like stretching, slow yoga, or simply lying on your mat and letting the ground hold you.
3. Create pockets of stillness
Your nervous system needs regular breaks from stimulation. This doesn't have to look like meditating for hours. It could be as simple as five minutes of sitting quietly with a cup of tea, or lying on the floor with your legs up the wall. Small moments of doing nothing count.
4. Let yourself be supported
Your body responds to being in safe spaces where you’re being guided by someone else holding the structure. This is where community and guided practice become medicine.
5. Rest without guilt
We know this one can feel hard. But rest isn’t indulgent or lazy. It’s a biological need. When you’re burnt out, it’s also one of the most supportive things you can do. Your body is asking for it.
How Sāmya can support you
If you've been feeling too depleted to even think about yoga, we understand. Our studio was designed with you in mind, people who need a gentle place to land, not another thing to achieve.
Classes that nourish when you’re burnt out
Slow flow: intentional movement at a pace that lets you stay connected to your breath and body. No rushing, just slow, nourishing movement.
Yin yoga: long-held, supported poses that give your nervous system permission to settle.
Qigong flow: gentle, fluid movement rooted in ancient wisdom. It's grounding without being demanding.
Monthly yoga nidra + sound baths: sessions for deep rest where you lie down with our cosy props and your only job is to receive.
A space designed to soothe
We’ve thought about the details: soft lighting, supportive props, warmth, sound, and spaciousness. Everything is there to help your nervous system feel safer.
Let us help you remember how to rest. You just need to show up, and let yourself be held — by the practice, the space, the community.
If you’re new to Sāmya, our intro offer gives you 14 days of classes for £50. A gentle way to explore what feels right, without pressure. And if you’re unsure where to start, just get in touch — we’re always happy to chat.