Burnout Isn’t a Badge of Honor and Why Nervous System Health Is the New Success Metric
- Brainz Magazine
- Jun 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 20
Josh is a seasoned wellness educator, entrepreneur, executive coach, and breathwork expert who empowers individuals to build sustainable health and authentic living practices. Combining science, movement, and mindfulness, his work inspires personal transformation and holistic well-being.
For too long, we’ve been taught to glorify burnout. We’ve internalized the hustle as virtue, believing that if we just grind harder, stay busy enough, and push through the discomfort, success will eventually come. But burnout isn’t a measure of purpose or productivity; it’s a sign of disconnection. And trust me, I’ve been there.
There was a time when I was doing all the “right” things. I was eating clean, working out, journaling, and meditating… and still waking up exhausted. My brain was foggy, my creativity flatlined. I felt like I was chasing something I couldn’t name, dragging my body along for the ride. Turns out I was—modern medicine couldn’t even figure out the lung infection I had developed.
It took me crashing to realize: I didn’t need another hack.
I needed regulation. I needed restoration. I needed to feel safe and alive in my body again.
You know the science, but what about the how?
Most of us already know:
That breathwork shifts the nervous system.
That movement can clear stress hormones.
That presence rewires the brain.
But knowing is not the same as living it
If you’re anything like I was, you might:
Understand that breath helps, but feel overwhelmed when it’s time to breathe.
Know that slowing down is important, but feel guilt when you stop.
Crave presence, but get yanked back into go-mode on autopilot.
The nervous system doesn’t heal in theory; it heals in practice
And those practices don’t need to be fancy or long.
They just need to happen — consistently, gently, and with a little guidance. Related Article: Creating From Alignment, Not Burnout
Do this: 3 micro-practices that actually help
Here are three simple practices to start calming your system — today:
1. Box breath in the shower (2 minutes)
Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4.
Use the sound of the water to anchor your attention.
Do it while your shampoo sits. This resets your baseline.
2. Body-first decision making
Next time you’re about to say yes to something, pause.
Ask yourself: Does my body expand or contract when I think about this? Let your body answer. That’s your nervous system guiding you.
3. Floor flow for the frazzled
Drop to the floor and do 3 minutes of gentle hip circles, cat/cows, and shoulder rolls.
Breathe with it. You’re not working out — you’re coming home. Let your system know: it’s okay to not perform for a minute.
No gear. No timer. Just you, your breath, and your body.
This is where the reset begins
That’s why I created the Breathe Move Breathe Wellness Collective — not to give you more to do, but to give you a way back to yourself.
Inside, you’ll find:
Guided breathwork sessions for energy, clarity, or rest
Movement flows designed to release stuck stress and reconnect to strength
Nervous system tools that work in the margins of your life — not just when you have 90 minutes and a Himalayan salt lamp
It’s a toolkit for real humans. For parents, leaders, creatives, feelers, and those healing from grind culture.
You don’t need a perfect routine. You just need a place to start.
And this is that place.
Your invitation
If you’re tired of feeling fried and ready to rebuild from a grounded place — you’re invited.
Everyone who uses this link will receive a free 7-day trial to explore the Breathe Move Breathe Collective and experience the shift for themselves.
Breathe Move Breathe Wellness Collective No pressure. Just presence.
Come see what it feels like to stop pushing and start regulating. Because you were never meant to burn out.
You were meant to live well.
Read more from Josh Seiler
Josh Seiler, Breathwork Expert & Wellness Pro
Josh is a seasoned fitness and wellness professional who began his journey in 2009, building a successful fitness coaching company in Denver, CO. In 2018, after overcoming a severe lung infection through breathwork and oxygen therapy, he discovered the transformative power of focused breathing techniques. This pivotal experience led him to create a global breathwork brand dedicated to helping others heal and thrive. Now based in the tranquil Black Hills of South Dakota, Josh shares his expertise through online content, certifications, and instructor training, blending science and personal experience to inspire sustainable health and authentic living.
