How to Avoid Burnout …When Taking Time off is Not an Option
Burnout from life isn’t uncommon, and its not pleasant, either. The easiest cure is also the most obvious: taking some time off. However not everyone can escape by going away or setting aside a few days at home to refresh to help them reset their stress clock. So, you may need an alternate way to fight off those feelings of being emotionally and physically burned out. So, what are the symptoms of feeling burnout?
Most of us might not notice it immediately, but once it takes hold, it can affect your ability to function across all aspects of your life. Common symptoms include (but are not limited to) – lack of energy and chronic fatigue, decreased productivity, difficulty concentrating, increased forgetfulness, trouble sleeping, feelings of anxiety and depression, loss of enjoyment and pleasure, pessimism, apathy, and detachment. Burnout can be caused by taking on more responsibilities that one can manage, poor social support, as well as poor self-care, and stress management. Experiencing burnout can be incredibly challenging and difficult to navigate. At times, it can feel overwhelming. But by understanding the symptoms and causes and implementing a few tips below, it may lead to a happier, healthier life.
Adopt a healthy work life balance: if work-life balance is nonexistent, it’s time to set up some healthy boundaries. It can be simple as blocking off your lunch hour or not responding to work emails after hours.
Take a mini break every 1 to 2 hours: we all have tons of things to do but don’t forget to take mini breaks throughout the day. Some of our favourite things to do is stretch, meditate or go for a walk!
Do a 5-minute mediation or Yoga evening flow: it helps to reduce stress for both he mind and body. Looking for some routines to follow? Check out our Wellness Section to learn some of our favourite routines to follow.
Say No Today: saying no can be difficult, but sometimes it can help beat out the burnout feeling by removing things off your plate or prevent it from happening in the first place. If you need help setting up boundaries, check out this Olve article.
Go for a Walk: even if its just for 10 mins – even on a call – it can reduce stress, clear your head, physically removing you from any triggers or feelings of stress.
Prioritize Body: meaning go to bed 30 mins earlier and work your way up until you’re getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night. During the day, try eating nutrient dense food (like fruits, protein, veggies) to help your muscles relax while increasing the feel-good hormone (Serotonin).
Just remember, combating burnout starts with you. If you had plans to do yoga, meditate, or go for a walk…and it didn’t happen. Its ok, you can easily pick up where you left off tomorrow. And if you catch yourself in a negative spiral and you can’t escape, here are ways to help you detox your life!
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