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.
To avoid burnout, it's important to get into a habit of recognizing its warning signs so you can stop it before it begins. Even some relatively simple life changes may make it more likely for you to avoid burnout altogether.
Here are some tips you can try to keep burnout at bay:
- 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. Here are three strategies when it comes to altering your workload:
- First, you can study time management techniques to work more efficiently. You'll be able to get more done in less time.
- Second, you can prioritize and drop things off your workload. Putting some things on the back burner may not be ideal, but it's important for the sake of your health and happiness.
- Third, delegate. Trying to do everything yourself or more than your fair share is a sure-fire way to end up in Burnout Ville. Assign tasks, outsource, and share responsibilities as needed.
- 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! Ideally, take downtime regularly to help you stay at your optimal performance level without having to exhaust yourself.
- Change Is Good. If you repeatedly reach a point of burnout despite your best efforts to avoid it, then maybe it's time to make a major life change. Perhaps it's time to look for a more suitable job, move, hire a team, or change careers altogether.
- Take Breaks. There is a reason 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.
- Ask For Help. Sometimes we feel so alone with or prideful about our problems that we don't ask for help, yet that just might be the antidote to our stress! Talk to your partner, friend, therapist, or a personal coach to vent your frustrations and seek advice.
- 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 you're going to wear yourself thin at some point and perhaps be taken advantage of in some cases. Learn that sometimes saying no is in your best interest. You don't need to give yourself extra stress!
- Take Time to Vent. If you ever start to panic, take a few breaths or go out for a walk to blow off some steam. Vent your emotions to the right friends, yourself, your journal, or with the help of a therapist. Pent-up emotions are likely to lead to unwanted burnout.
These are just a few strategies to stop burnout in its tracks and enjoy your life. listen to what your inner self is telling you. Take action and implement these tips, today, and you'll soon be free from the crushing pressure of burnout!