The signs of burnout are easy to recognize, but it's important that you do everything in your power not only to prevent them from happening altogether- because let’s face facts: once they start there is no stopping the damage!
Burnout can significantly affect your mind and body causing you to suffer from exhaustion, anxiety, and even depression. If you don't make changes, burnout can lead to even more severe health problems such as heart attacks or strokes.
Recognizing the signs of burnout will help you avoid it completely or reduce its severity. The more aware we are about our emotional states, the better equipped to manage them when they happen so that instead of being overcome by frustration and anxiety- which lead directly to anger -we have time for self-reflection in order to take care of both ourselves AND others!
Here are some tips you can try to keep burnout at bay:
1. Analyze Your Workload.
It's quite easy to take on too much without realizing that there are only so many hours in the day. If you continue to run on overdrive without giving yourself a break, you're sure to eventually reach burnout. You have two choices when it comes to altering your workload:
* First, you can study time management techniques in order to work more efficiently. You'll be able to get more done in less time.
* Second, you can drop things off of your workload. This may not be ideal, but it's important for the sake of your health and happiness.
2. Avoid Exhaustion.
When you're in tune with your body, you can sense when you're reaching a point of exhaustion. As soon as you start to feel this way it's time to stop and make a change. You can book a mini vacation, go on a day trip, or you can spend time at home. The important thing to remember is that you need to leave your sources of stress behind. If this means no access to a cell phone or computer, then so be it!
3. Change Is Good.
If you keep reaching a point where you think you'll burn out, then it's time to make a major life change.
* For example, you may have a job that is causing you to repeatedly burn out despite your best efforts to avoid it. Perhaps it's time to start looking for a more suitable job.
4. Take Breaks.
There is a reason why it's mandatory to offer breaks to employees. You need breaks to refresh, rejuvenate, and renew your mind. Go for a 10-minute walk, play a Sudoku puzzle, or just get away from your source of tension for a few minutes.
5. Ask for Help.
Sometimes we feel so alone with the problems that we forget to ask for help, yet that just might be the antidote to our stress! Talk to your partner, friend, or a personal coach to vent your frustrations and seek advice.
6. Learn to Say No.
There is a difference between someone who is open and accommodating and someone who says yes to everything. If you tell everyone yes, it's likely that someone will take advantage of you at some point or another. Learn that sometimes saying no is in your best interest. You don't need to give yourself extra stress!
The Time Factor
In the end, the most important tip is to listen to your inner self and figure out what needs to be done first. It's always better than taking on too much, then feeling overwhelmed with other tasks that need doing later down the line because you didn't prioritize correctly from within at first.
Take Time to Vent
It's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life and not always realize how we're feeling. If you ever start panicking, take some deep breaths, or go out for a walk- it will help release any built-up anxiety that may be causing unnecessary stress on your body. In addition, vent your emotions! Vent to friends, family, or journal. Pent-up emotions are likely to lead to unwanted burnout.
Burnout is a very real and genuine problem, but it doesn't have to be permanent. There are things you can do to stop burnout before it starts, and we hope the tips in this post help you get started. If you're looking for more ways to prevent burnout or want information on how to deal with other career stressors if it's already taken hold, head over to our website where you'll find tons of helpful resources. Thanks for reading!