Protect Your Energy: A Gentle Guide to Nurture Your Nervous System, Cultivate Rest, and Honor Your Needs

by Zahabiyah A. Yamasaki

240 pages, Paperback

Expected publication April 21, 2026

Reviews

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protect Your Energy by Zabie Yamasaki came to me at the right time. I’ve been looking for a book like this, one that not only touches on preventing burnout, but also helps you understand steps you can take to recover. It took me so long to understand that the bone deep exhaustion and complete crashes were signals from my body that I was running on survival for so long and that it was now safe enough to rest. This isn’t just a book of mindfulness. This is a book that includes evidence-based practices for soothing the nervous system.

I’m someone who reads self-help and mindful books quite often, and so I was happy to see references of Madeleine Dore, Pooja Lakshmin, and Emily and Amelia Nagoski, authors whose works I greatly loved. I appreciate the compassion with which the book is written and I can imagine how soothing the book would be as an audiobook.

I look forward to having a physical copy of the book so I can reference the many forms of rest (it’s not just sleep!).

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sounds True Publishing, and Zabie Yamasaki for the ARC.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the world wants more from us, Zahabiyah Yamasaki reminds us, that “sometimes what our nervous systems need is less.” Protect Your Energy is her invitation back to ourselves, a gentle guide toward reclaiming the countless pieces of energy we lose each day.

Drawing from Polyvagal Theory, yogic philosophy, and her lived experience, Yamasaki offers a grounded, compassionate framework for listening to the messages our nervous systems are constantly sending us. The book weaves reflections, restorative practices, and accessible tools.

There is so much important, timely wisdom in this book and I think it will resonate deeply with anyone craving nervous system care or gentle guidance. This book is a compassionate read for this fast-paced age, and it's an invaluable reminder to slow down, turn inward, and protect what matters most: namely our energy.

Thanks to NetGalley, Sounds True Publishing and the author for the ARC.

[Cris ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, Protect Your Energy by Yamasaki, is essential reading if you often feel tired, stressed, or drained by life.

It's not just about setting boundaries; it’s a kind, clear guide that helps you understand what your body truly needs. Yamasaki connects the science of the nervous system (Polyvagal Theory) with mindful practices, making big ideas simple to follow.

The best part is the focus on doing less, not always more. In a world that tells us to constantly work, this book teaches a powerful lesson: how to rest without feeling guilty. It gives you easy, practical steps to listen to your body and set important limits.

If you are ready to stop losing energy and find peace, this book is a necessary tool.

Thank you for the ARC copy.

[Bitsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good guide for those wanting to discover and implement the things their mind and body need in order to calm your nervous system. There is a common thread of doing less rather than more that was refreshing and worth exploring