Finding Peace after burnout: Embracing breath work while strengthening human connection.

Anxiety, panic attacks, and loneliness have become ever-present in our daily lives.

Many of us either experience these struggles personally or know several colleagues, friends, and loved ones who do. Even children are now facing high levels of anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts as part of their normal daily routines, driven by the heavy expectations society places on them.

In the spring of 2020, I walked into my therapist’s office shortly after lockdown restrictions were lifted in Holland. It was during those early days of the pandemic that I had an unsettling realisation: Everyone on this planet is about to go through a personal transformation — or at the very least, experience mental health challenges while adjusting to a new normal.

“Don’t you think everything will go back to a normal working order once a vaccine is sourced?” my therapist asked.

“Uhhhh, yeah….nah. Everyone is about to be served a heavy dose of stoicism.”?I replied.

Returning to the “normal” we knew would mean accepting what was dysfunctional. It would mean continuing to slap band-aid fixes on deep-rooted issues, or worse, ignoring the broken parts altogether and discarding them like trash in an overflowing landfill.

“We’re entering a new era,”?I said.?“There’s no going back to what once was. Doing so could mean the end of humanity as we know it.”

My therapist smiled politely, reminding me not to take on the problems of the entire world. But I knew that the so-called “normies” of the world — those without prior mental health struggles — were about to face mental illness like never before. And those of us who had already been navigating our own mental health journeys? We would be better prepared for the chaos that was coming.

I was reminded not to be overly cynical or dramatic.

Fast forward a few weeks, and I quietly walked away from my inspiring corporate career and stable 9-to-5 desk job.

In the fast-paced world we live in, we’ve been conditioned to medicate symptoms or just “push through” when things get tough. The voices in my head echoed the classic Boomer advice:?“Pull yourself up by the bootstraps!”

But here’s the thing: Many people don’t even realise that living without anxiety and depression is possible. In our hyper-capitalistic societies, we’re bombarded with distractions that program us into numbness. But I assure you, there’s a kinder, more sustainable way to live.

While the mental health field has made tremendous strides, it hasn’t stopped the growing rates of stress and burnout, particularly among working professionals.

Why? Because while some issues can be fixed like a machine, a broken heart or stressed mind needs time, patience, and care to truly heal.

In my experience,?breath work?has been a game-changer for healing anxiety, panic attacks, and grief. Learning how to breathe consciously and properly helps cut through the mental noise and tension that often consumes us. It’s a powerful first step toward regaining emotional well-being, almost instantly, and without relying on medication.

Once breath work removes layers of stress and creates more space in our lives, the real question is:?Who do we allow ourselves to become?

Humans are inherently social beings, and true healing happens when we reconnect with others on a deeper, more soulful level — no words required. When we surround ourselves with the right people, we vibrate at higher frequencies. Our cells are activated, and we begin forming meaningful connections.

However, healing can feel lonely, especially when the people around us — friends, family, colleagues — don’t know how to support our transformation. But even though it’s challenging, it’s also empowering. Finding others on similar journeys is both rewarding and essential for setting boundaries that protect our growth.

In the early days of homeschooling my kids while also being an essential employee, I reevaluated my life. I weighed the pros and cons of my short- and long-term goals, eventually choosing a lifestyle that aligned with my future self — a version of me focused on my role as a mother, a role that wasn’t previously encouraged or allowed.

Now, working again and returning to a career a yoga teacher, I’ve developed new daily rituals that bring me closer to who I want to be. I practice?listening?— to others, to my own breath, paying close attention to the silence between conversations.

I focus on my senses and how I feel during challenging moments, operating from my gut instead of my mind.

Building community?is also key. Whether at home or in the workplace, creating small, supportive gatherings where people can truly connect makes all the difference. When we ask each other,?“How are you being?”?instead of the superficial,?“How are you doing?”?we create space for honesty, vulnerability, and healing.

In my yoga classes, I start with a restorative pose, allowing students to settle in with blankets and props. We close our eyes, cover them if possible, and breathe together. There’s something powerful about hearing the synchronised rhythm of our breath, especially when we can’t see one another. It reminds us of the connection that exists, even in darkened silence.

In social settings, sharing meals or gathering in informal spaces can foster that same sense of tribe. These communities fulfil our basic human need for connection and create spaces for us to feel safe, seen, and valued.

Now, more than ever, is the time to break down the invisible barriers that divide us and connect on a deeper level. Governments and traditional health systems may not fully meet our emotional or physical needs, but we have the power to create our own support systems.

We can do better, by being better?— together.

The journey to healing is not a race, and it’s not something we can fix overnight. But with tools like breath work, community, and deeper connections, we can begin to heal both ourselves and those around us.

As writer, Tedex speaker, yoga teacher and breath work facilitator?Max Strom reminds us, breath work doesn’t have to be complicated — it’s about starting small, staying consistent, and remembering that even the simplest practices can bring us back to the present moment.

???Here are some key tips from Max Strom’s approach:

1?? Start Slow and Simple

Begin with just a few minutes a day, focusing on slow, deep breathing. Even five minutes of intentional breathing can have significant benefits. You don’t need to start with complex techniques — just focus on the breath.

2?? Focus on Deep Breathing

Max emphasises full, deep breaths that engage the diaphragm. Breathe deeply into the belly and slowly release. This type of breathing helps calm the nervous system and reduce stress.

3?? Consistency Over Intensity

It’s more important to practice regularly than for long periods. Aim for a few minutes of daily breath work rather than doing a lengthy session once in a while. Consistency builds the habit and deepens the benefits over time.

In this space of mindful breathing, we find the clarity and strength to create a healthier, more connected reality.

Hi, are we newly meeting here? Here are my deets:

Audra is an American-Dutch certified yoga teacher with over two decades of experience in Hatha and Ashtanga yoga. She brings a modernised approach to her teaching, blending ancient practices with mindful self-awareness.

“It’s not about the poses our bodies can do. It’s about how we move through life, finding joy, while staying accountable to ourselves and others.”

Audra integrates astrological principles into her yoga practice, encouraging sustainable changes in mindset, habits, and behaviours that lead to transformation. As a passionate advocate for mental health, she uses her own life experiences to guide individuals through transitions, fostering growth and resilience.

You can find her writings on mental health and wellness on Substack and her website.

Until next time.

Namaste xx

Audra