Combating Emotional Exhaustion and Fatigue Through the Power of Our Practice August 23 2026

Have you noticed how exhaustion can sneak up on you? You may be getting good sleep, eating well, and exercising but suddenly you are bowled over by tiredness? I found that happened to me earlier this week. I was still embroiled in helping care for Mom as she continued her rehab, but I was also filled with joy to spend time with my friend Dorothy and her family who were visiting from Utah. Additionally, so many of my oldest and best friends were around to join the fun.   The week capped off with my older son, Sam, coming home to see everyone and to celebrate his birthday. We had dinners, visits to the rehab, beach days and lots of laughs. I was also exhausted.

As I thought about the tiredness that I was feeling, I thought of many people in my life who live lives filled with joy, but who also face challenges of aging parents, children with special needs or are themselves struggling with their own challenges. The toll that this takes on daily life, despite the happiness that is also present, cannot be underestimated. I have often wondered how I can feel so tired when I have not gone to work or dug a ditch on a particular day! I have come to realize in my own experiences, and from observing others, that logistical planning, mental stress and other nonphysical factors have an enormous role in our feeling exhaustion.  

In my practice this week I am doubling down on the blog I wrote last week, focusing on living well as we face busy lives, which include challenges. I have done a little reading on this and several factors contribute to this. When we care for others, our brain stays on high alert, and this prevents our nervous system from resting. We may experience heavy emotions which also take a toll. Self-care often gets overlooked as we have discussed causing us to not eat well or get adequate rest, sleep or exercise.

I read an article from the Mayo Clinic which discusses emotional exhaustion. The suggestions that they had seem aligned with following an overall healthful lifestyle that includes a yoga practice. While mostly common sense, it has been a wonderful reminder for me to refocus.

These practices include eating a healthy diet, exercising daily, getting adequate sleep and practicing mindfulness. Our yoga practice provides us with physical benefits of strength, balance and flexibility while the meditation and breath work help us manage stress, anxiety and foster mindfulness. If things become harder, speaking with a mental health professional can be another valuable tool.

Meditating On Combating Exhaustion With Self Care

The success of yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures, but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationships." ~ Desikachar

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book. ~ Irish proverb

Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos – the trees, the clouds, everything ~ Thjch Nhat Hanh

Sending love and light and especially healing vibes of support to all.

Namaste,

Julia Anne