Burnout has evolved into a pervasive problem in today’s fast-paced world, affecting countless people from all walks of life. At such times, you experience a sense of overwhelming exhaustion, mental fatigue, and emotional drain that makes you feel completely depleted.
Burnout can affect anyone, whether you are managing the demands of your job or a busy family life, or both.
The good news is, recovery is possible, and you can regain mental equilibrium, reignite your enthusiasm, and rediscover joy in everyday life. Here’s how.
1. Take a break
Stepping away from the stress of your daily routine is one of the best ways to fight burnout. It may seem like an obvious solution, but it is frequently easier said than done.
This does not necessarily require you to travel to a faraway destination. It could be as easy as spending a weekend at home, unwinding, and doing things you enjoy without worrying about work or anything else.
2. Manage your workload
You may aim for perfectionism by doing more work than necessary to demonstrate your commitment. But burnout is an outcome of this strategy.
Assess your workload and create a stopping point. You can set tasks in order of importance and, where possible, delegate them to others.
Learn to say no when you are already overloaded. Maintain focus and productivity without overexerting yourself by using time-management strategies like the Pomodoro technique.
3. Set boundaries
Blending personal and professional lines is one of the main causes of burnout. So, set up boundaries and let people at work know about them. This is important to safeguard your privacy and wellbeing.
Establish specific working hours and observe them. Let your coworkers and superiors know about these boundaries to ensure they respect your off hours.
Your personal time is also important, so make sure your work commitments do not intrude on your leisure and family time.
4. Seek professional help
If you consistently feel overburdened and are unable to control your burnout alone, don’t be afraid to seek help from a professional.
These qualified individuals will be able to provide useful tips and strategies to help you cope with the stress and anxiety that lead to burnout.
5. Prioritise self-care
For mental equilibrium, self-care is not a luxury but a requirement. Taking care of yourself should be a priority in your daily routine.
Focus on the basics, like getting quality sleep at night, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. Take part in enjoyable activities such as reading a book, engaging in a hobby, or simply going for a leisurely walk.
Self-care includes looking after your emotional health by spending time with loved ones and, as mentioned above, getting help when necessary.
6. Avoid triggers
Common triggers for burnout differ from person to person. Spend some time figuring out what makes you feel burnt out. Is the workday at the office too long? Do you frequently check work email at home? Is something amiss in your relationship?
Take proactive measures to avoid or mitigate triggers once you have identified them. This could entail establishing stricter boundaries, assigning tasks, or developing more effective stress-management techniques.
7. Have realistic expectations
Many people who experience burnout have unrealistic standards for themselves. Perfection is a myth: no one can consistently perform at a high level in every area of life.
Focus on creating attainable and realistic goals rather than striving for perfection. Be kind to yourself and understand that failures and setbacks are a normal part of life.
Adopting a growth mindset can assist you in overcoming obstacles and attaining a more positive outlook on success and failure.
Read more articles by Dennis Relojo-Howell here.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the managing director of Psychreg and host of ‘The DRH Show’. Connect with him on X (Twitter) at @dennisr_howell.