Yoga for Adrenal Fatigue and Burnout
Yoga for Adrenal Fatigue and Burnout: A Gentle Path to Recovery
Adrenal fatigue and burnout can leave you feeling drained, overwhelmed, and physically exhausted. If you’re experiencing symptoms like constant tiredness, difficulty sleeping, brain fog, or even unexplained weight gain, your adrenal glands and stress hormones—especially cortisol—might be playing a big role.
When cortisol is out of balance, it can affect your metabolism and lead to stubborn weight gain, especially around the belly. In these moments, pushing yourself with intense cardio or strenuous workouts often does more harm than good. Instead, the key to recovery lies in slowing down, calming your nervous system, and nurturing your body gently.
What is Adrenal Fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue refers to a state where your adrenal glands are overworked due to chronic stress. Though not a medically recognized diagnosis, many people experience symptoms linked to prolonged stress and hormonal imbalance, including:
Persistent fatigue and low energy
Difficulty waking up even after a full night’s sleep
Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
Cravings for salty or sweet foods
Feeling overwhelmed or anxious
Low blood pressure or dizziness
Why Yoga Helps
Yoga can be a powerful tool to support adrenal health and recovery from burnout by:
Activating the parasympathetic nervous system to promote relaxation
Reducing cortisol levels through gentle movement and breathwork
Improving sleep quality and reducing anxiety
Encouraging mindfulness and self-compassion
My Go-To Lazy Day Yoga Sequence for Adrenal Recovery
This sequence is designed to be gentle, grounding, and restorative — perfect for those days when you need to show yourself extra kindness.
Supported Child’s Pose — A restful pose that soothes the nervous system and opens the hips gently.
Reclined Bound Angle Pose — Opens the hips and chest while promoting relaxation.
Resting Half Frog Pose — A gentle hip opener that releases tension with minimal effort.
Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose — A deeply restorative pose combining full-body relaxation with gentle leg elevation to promote circulation and calm the nervous system.
Seated Forward Fold — Lengthens the spine and calms the mind.
Feel free to skip or modify poses depending on how you feel. The goal is to listen to your body and do what feels nurturing.
Embracing Slow Recovery
Remember, adrenal fatigue recovery isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about honoring your body’s need to rest and heal. This means prioritizing gentle movement over intense workouts, choosing restorative yoga over vigorous exercise, and most importantly, being patient with yourself.
Slow down. Breathe deeply. Show up for yourself with kindness and compassion. Your body—and your adrenal glands—will thank you.
