These days, burnout is a hot topic. Burnout became a common friend in our lives, whether you’ve hit the wall balancing pandemic childcare while working from home or simply have a general impression of meh about the world.
However, if we disregard our feelings and try to push through, we may reach a point when we simply don’t have the energy to continue. Listen to this week’s rich & Regular podcast episode about burnout and fury quitting, then read on for quite some tips on how to handle burnout before it takes a toll on your life.
Related: 7 Simple Efficiency Tips to Help You Get More From Your Day
What Exactly Is Burnout?
Burnout is a debilitating psychological illness caused by unrelieved work stress, according to Winona State University.
Energy depletion and emotional weariness, Increased depersonalization in interpersonal connections increased discontent and pessimism, and increased absenteeism and inefficiency at work. The word “unrelieved” is crucial here.
Although stress is an unavoidable aspect of modern life, the never-ending to-do lists, demands, and additional duties have a negative impact on our health and productivity.
In an ideal world, we’d all develop coping techniques before we reach burnout, and even if we did, we’d be able to take the time to recuperate. However, we all know that personal time is often in short supply.
Taking Care of Burnout
We’re not simply talking about self-care in the form of candle-lit bubble baths and soft robes when we say that taking care of yourself is the greatest way to avoid burnout. Here are a few practical and efficient techniques to avoid burnout:
Eat a Balanced Diet.
Coffee and junk food may have been a way of life in college, but as you get older, what you put into your body becomes more crucial. Reduce your intake of caffeine and other stimulants by eating a well-balanced diet rich in whole, fresh foods.
When you’re working 40+ hours a week and caring for a family, this is easier said than done, but what you eat does have an impact on your mental health, so make sure you’re fuelling yourself with the most nutritionally dense foods possible.
Related: 8 Work-Life Balance Ideas That Are Simple To Apply
Improve Your Sleeping Habits.
According to the American Sleep Association, over 30% of Americans experience insomnia in some form (chronic or short-term). Consider decreasing the temperature in your bedroom, taking a hot bath or shower, or turning off and putting away technology a few hours before bedtime.
While it’s true that you sometimes just have to put your head down and work through your feelings of exhaustion and stress, you also need to practice self-care to keep going when things get tough. As a result, make sure you take care of yourself and establish a healthy mix of activity and rest.
Make The Most Of Your Day Off.
Employees unused 768 million vacation days in 2019, according to the US Travel Association, and 236 million of those had to be surrendered totally. Unplugging can be difficult, but you will be a better employee if you take time away from the workplace now and again.
Seek Assistance.
Talk to your friends and family about how you’re feeling, and pay attention to how they’re dealing with their problems. Consider speaking with a therapist or counselor about any issues you’re having. It’s tempting to believe that we can accomplish everything on our own and carry all of life’s problems, but that mindset is actually holding you back.
Related: A Personal Strategy to Assist You in Achieving Your Goals
Create a Pastime.
While we may believe that we only need to work a little bit harder or longer before taking a break, having an activity that is unrelated to your work gives your brain and spirit a respite from the stress.
Consider What Soothes You And Make Time For It In Your Life.
Cooking a new meal, playing an instrument, completing a puzzle with your kids, or going for a run as meditation time are all possibilities. Make a schedule in your calendar a couple of times a week to find that space for yourself, whatever your soothing pastime is.
Cause Your Body Flow.
Set aside time each day to move your body, which will help you handle some of the tension and emotion that accumulates during the workday. Taking a walk or stretching during your lunch break can be enough to shake things up, but you could also try an activity you’ve always wanted to try but never got around to (it could become your new hobby!)—a boxing class could be just what you need to work through problems and gain emotional clarity.