In this episode, we explore the power of reconnecting with yourself to combat stress and burnout.
Jenni, the founder of the School for Mindful Eating and Movement, shares her journey from being a workaholic to finding balance through Yoga Nidra. Discover practical tips, including the ‘three Rs’ approach (Relaxation, Reconnection, and Reprogramming), to regain control and create a sense of inner peace.
Ideal for anyone feeling overwhelmed, this conversation provides insights into building resilience through mindfulness, breathwork, and self-awareness.
Let’s start with a word you might not hear every day: interoception. It’s your body’s ability to sense what’s going on inside—hunger, thirst, exhaustion, emotions, gut instincts, and more.
But when you’re burned out, in survival mode, or simply running on overdrive for too long, that ability? It dims.
Here’s what that can look like in real life:
- Mistaking stress or exhaustion for hunger (so you eat, but don’t feel better)
- Struggling to sleep even when you know you’re exhausted
- Constantly bumping into things, forgetting conversations, or feeling “checked out”
- Feeling either completely depleted or weirdly wired—but never truly balanced
These aren’t flaws in your personality. They’re symptoms of nervous system dysregulation. And they’re more common than most of us realize.
The Productivity Trap That Disconnects Us
Jennifer described her former self as a “workaholic on steroids,” and whew… same.
Many of us learn early that our worth is measured in output—how much we produce, achieve, or control. That drive can take us far… until it takes us out.
She shared how her healing began not with doing more but with the exact opposite: Yoga Nidra, a practice where the only requirement is to lay still and be.
At first, it felt unproductive. Useless even. But over time, it became a way back to herself.
“It’s about doing less, but being more.”
You Can’t Reconnect If You’re Still Bracing for Impact
We often treat rest like a luxury. But when you’re disconnected from your body, rest might not even feel safe.
You lay down, but your brain races. You stop working, but guilt creeps in. Sound familiar?
That’s your nervous system doing what it was trained to do. Which means the way back isn’t through force or shame. It’s through compassion, curiosity, and tiny steps that feel doable.
Jennifer recommends:
- A body scan—even just 2 minutes of checking in from head to toe
- Gentle breathwork to shift out of fight-or-flight
- Stretching or intuitive movement with zero performance pressure
- “Self dates”—lighting a candle, putting on music, and simply being with yourself
- Massage or supportive touch, if it feels safe to your body
These are micro-practices that build interoceptive awareness over time. Not to fix you, but to reconnect you.
Why This Matters for Leaders
Leaders, let’s talk. If you’re dysregulated, your team feels it, even if you never say a word.
Jennifer introduced the concept of co-regulation, where our nervous systems subconsciously attune to the people around us.
A leader who’s constantly stressed or performative will unintentionally pass that energy on to their team. But a leader who is calm, grounded, and self-aware? They become a source of psychological safety.
It’s about being present. About knowing when you’re tipping into survival mode and using tools to come back to yourself so you can lead from a place of stability, not urgency.
Burnout doesn’t always show up as dramatic collapse. Sometimes, it shows up as forgetting to eat. As resenting rest. As wondering why your body isn’t cooperating anymore.
The fix isn’t more hustle; it’s reconnection.
It’s remembering how to listen to your body. It’s learning how to rest in a way that actually restores you. And it’s reclaiming your right to slow down without guilt.
As Jennifer reminded us, “It’s not about doing more; it’s about being more. And it starts with rebuilding your inner home.”
To connect with Jenni:
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I’m Tara Kermiet, a leadership coach specializing in burnout prevention and work-life integration. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re holding it all together with duct tape and coffee. But success doesn’t have to mean running yourself ragged. I help high achievers find work-life balance and shine as badass leaders.
👉 Take my quick quiz to find out where you stand on the burnout spectrum, plus get tailored tips to help you turn things around before it’s too late. Visit: https://tarakermiet.com/free-resources/
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Stay balanced, stay badass, and make good choices!
Disclaimer: My content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. For serious concerns, please consult a qualified provider.
