Have You Ever Been So Stressed You Couldn’t Sleep for Two Weeks?

I was a high performer in an international company, meeting demanding KPIs in a fast-paced environment. From the outside, everything looked stable. Inside, my nervous system was constantly on alert.
When the war in Ukraine started—where my family lives—something shifted. The pressure became too much. I stopped sleeping. For two weeks, my body simply would not rest. My energy dropped to zero, and I could barely leave my bed.
When I asked for medical support, I was told this was a “normal reaction.” No tools. No guidance.
That moment changed everything. And I’m grateful for that because at that very moment I took full responsibility for myself!

When the Body Speaks Louder Than the Mind

Many of us in international, high-performing, or expat environments are used to adapting quickly. We change countries, languages, roles, and expectations. We are resilient—until the body decides it has had enough…
Burnout does not begin with collapse. It begins when the nervous system stays in survival mode for too long. Sleep becomes shallow or disappears. Breathing becomes tight. Joy and curiosity fade. We disconnect from the body in order to keep functioning…
This is not a personal failure. It is a biological response.

Why Awareness Alone Is Not Enough

I quickly learned that understanding stress intellectually was not enough. My body needed to feel safe again.
Through my own recovery, I discovered simple, embodied practices—tapping, breathing, gentle nervous-system regulation, that helped me return to my body. Slowly, I slept again. I could walk outside. I felt grounded.
These practices did not require hours of effort or spiritual bypassing. They worked because they met the body where it was.

From Personal Healing to Shared Experience

As my energy returned, I started to deep into the topic of burnout and to search for more tools for recovery and I had a lot of positive effect from Qi Gong, meditation, somatic practices, yoga, last but not the least - learning to set boundaries! How are you setting the boundaries? And is it as difficult for you as it was for me? Feeling bad to hurt someone's feelings? For the most difficult conversation I came up with the tools of 4 steps on NVC, everyone must know it. Over the past year, I have tested and refined them through workshops and group experiences. What I observed again and again was not just relaxation—but reconnection.

People shared that they felt:

• More present in their bodies
• Calmer in stressful situations
• More connected to themselves and others
• Energized!

Stress, Community

For individuals, especially expats, stress is often compounded by disconnection—from familiar support systems, from the body, and from community. I know it, I feel you!

In the Netherlands, approximately 1.6 million people experience stress or burnout-related complaints. Addressing this is not just a workplace issue—it is a collective one!

Listening Before the Body Shuts Down

Burnout is not a lack of strength. It is often the result of ignoring subtle signals for too long.
Whether you are exploring personal growth, supporting others through community spaces, or leading teams in high-pressure environments, learning to regulate stress is foundational. When we listen to the body early, we do not have to wait for it to collapse.

Healing does not happen in isolation. It happens through awareness, practice, and shared experience.

If this story resonates with you, you are not alone—and you do not have to navigate stress on your own.

If this resonates with you and you’re ready to understand what’s really draining your energy, apply for a Free complimentary 30-minute Energy Reset Discovery Call with me here.

Imagine what eight structured days of guided practices could do for your energy — join the 8-Day Energy Reset Challenge and experience the shift yourself. Check the time and date here.

You can find here upcoming workshops and gatherings, and choose the format that feels right for you.

The most meaningful change begins with taking full responsibility for your life and making a first step today!

Warm greetings, Mila