Yoga Nidra as a Neurobiological Intervention for Corporate Burnout: A Systematic Narrative Review and Neurobiological Meta-Synthesis
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) June 28, 2026 Ritesh Kumar
This systematic review synthesizes evidence on Yoga Nidra, a guided non-sleep deep rest practice, as a potential intervention for occupational stress and burnout. The authors report that Yoga Nidra is consistently associated with shifts toward slower EEG rhythms (alpha and theta), improved parasympathetic indices on heart rate variability, and increased dopamine tone in the ventral striatum, based on PET evidence from a small cohort. Cortisol data from larger RCTs suggest regular practice can flatten dysregulated diurnal cortisol patterns. Published meta-analyses report moderate-to-large reductions in perceived stress and favorable cardiovascular autonomic changes, though study quality varies. The authors conclude that Yoga Nidra is feasible and scalable but call for rigorous corporate-specific trials.