Burnout is a chronic problem in the professional landscape today. Individuals are taking on more and more work and are prone to exhaustion. With budget cuts which often lead to more workload requirements in work roles, people are often not sure how to handle the stress and prevent burnout.
Here are a few ways to recognize and avoid burnout:
- You feel tired even after you rest and often don’t get a good night’s sleep.
- You find yourself lacking motivation and don’t care about things in daily life anymore, almost as if you feel a detachment.
- Performance isn’t at its peak anymore. You do just enough to get by.
- Stress can lead to illnesses that you may experience. Increased sickness can occur. You may even feel more mood swings or irritability that doesn’t match your regular personality.
What to do about it:
- Set boundaries – Know when something is too much and when to say no. Do you have too many extra activities or volunteer gigs? Shed some and focus on only a few things and do them well.
- Take breaks – Use your paid time off, take a real vacation where they won’t call you, turn your work phone off after 6 pm, and enjoy your weekends. Before you accept a job, inquire about what after-hours requirements are or if on-call is required.
- Work on yourself – Take time out for regular personal development, whether that is meditation, reading, personal care, exercise, etc. Don’t forget to ask yourself how you feel regularly and avoid going through life in a reactive auto-pilot phase. Get professional help when you need it.
- Find meaning in your work – Focus on where you enjoy your job. Do you have an idea that might be beneficial to the workplace? Share that idea and see if you can implement it.
Burnout is chronic in our society. The fast-paced way of the world is beginning to take its toll on people leading to illness and stress. Remember to prioritize your own needs. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Bliss + You 