One of the many reasons that CEOs, thought leaders, nonprofit leaders, celebrities, small business owners and everyday hard-working people come to Siddhayatan Tirth & Spiritual Retreat Center, where I reside and teach, is because they’re burning out at work and feel unfulfilled, lost and disconnected, are extremely stressed, underappreciated, and feel as if they’ve lost themselves.

With the boom of technology, social media, demands of work and responsibilities, pressures for high returns on investment, and overworking in addition to family and personal responsibilities, life becomes too much—so much so that people burn out. I’ve experienced it a few times myself, and it is scary.

Some companies have toxic environments. Why? Because there are toxic people. Why are there toxic people? Because people do not have the space, support or guidance to work on themselves—to connect with their real self; to dissolve their anger; to transform their anxiety to peace, their stress to relaxation; to express themselves; and to not suppress their emotions or thoughts.

With high performance as a focus for many CEOs and nonprofit leaders, it is especially important to find time to actually stop performing and simply be. The body and mind need rest. They need space to reset. A relaxed body and mind create space for innovation. Big breakthroughs, new ideas and revolutionary ideas happen when one is rested and relaxed—not when one is burned out and pushed to the limit. My spiritual mentor, Acharya Shree Yogeesh, also a Jain monk, reminds me that new ideas come through relaxation, and meditation is the art of relaxation.

Even if you have a grand idea, if your body and mind are baked and burned, what energy is left inside to actually implement the new vision? Take care of yourself. Help yourself, then help others.

Tips To Improve Well-Being And Prevent Or Reverse Burnout

For physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health purposes, start integrating some or all of these tips that I share with our visitors to help relax, become healthier and balanced, and prevent or come out of burnout.

Reconnect and be with yourself.

Take time to spend quality time with yourself. Step away from the computer. Turn off your phone. Focus on and be with yourself. Most of your time is dedicated to others and your work. In order to sustain yourself, you must find that quality time to be with yourself. Reflect. Write. Journal. Do something fun that you enjoy that you stopped doing. Dedicate some time to what you’re passionate about. Feel and be you.

Take deep breaths in the morning. efore your morning coffee or tea, and even before having a glass of water, go outside and breathe in the fresh air. The body lives off of oxygen, and in the morning, the oxygen is purer. Expand your lungs and diaphragm. Your body and mind will thank you.

I like to start my mornings by slowly inhaling through my nose while counting to 10 and expanding my belly, then holding for five seconds before exhaling slowly, bringing my belly in. I do this at least seven times outside.

Practice alternative breathwork.

Learn and practice intensive breathing techniques. In the yogic system, this is called Pranayama or “breath control.” One of my favorites is called Kapalbhathi, which means “purification of the skull” and is popularly known as the “breath of fire.” This type of breathwork—where you quickly inhale and then exhale forcefully through your nose—helps you clear the mind, bring a lot of oxygen into the bloodstream, burn toxins in the body, activate the brain, increase metabolism, reduce high blood pressure and remain calm.

Make sure to do your research before getting started, and find alternative breathing techniques that work for you. I recommend sitting quietly for a 5-minute meditation after practicing alternative breathwork. This can help you release stress and tension so you can relax.

Practice Silence.

We communicate so much, but have you had the time to really sit with yourself in peace and quiet? So much energy goes into communicating. Texting. Writing emails. Phone calls. Take one day to practice silence. When you wake up, remind yourself you’re practicing total silence. In the beginning, start by simply not saying anything. Be aware of yourself when you want to speak. Are you wanting to speak while someone else is talking? Silence not only helps you to go inward, but it also helps you to become a better listener. Stop talking for a day. It will help you calm your mind and bring stillness. Who knows, you may start wanting to speak less.

Lead A More Purposeful Life

When you begin to take care of yourself by pausing, relaxing and practicing deep breaths and alternative breathwork, you’ll let go of the built-up tension, stress, anxiety and toxins in your life. As you relax, you will pave the way to be more creative, peaceful, patient and healthier; increase your focus; gain clarity; experience more vision; and live with purpose. Leading and living with purpose means living a fulfilled life with the first step being connected to yourself.

Which tip would you like to try out first? How will your life, both personal and work life, shift for you?