Are you feeling tired all the time at work no matter how well you sleep at night? Feeling indifference and even resentment at the work you’re doing? Unable to find the energy for even the most menial tasks? You may be experiencing burnout.
That’s okay, it’s not forever, you can regain your strength and enthusiasm again! This article will give you 10 tips on how to get back on your feet. So grab a coffee and let’s do it…
1. Set Work Limits
One of the main reasons for burnout is overwork. Perhaps you’re burdening yourself with too many tasks. Scale back on them, delegate some lesser tasks to other people, or request they help you lighten your load somewhat.
2. One Task At One Time
With the tasks you keep working on yourself, focus on just one at a time. Let that be your sole focus. One task at a time, every task a success.
3. Break Time
Take intermittent breaks between tasks, even 5-10 minutes for a cup of tea/coffee and catch your breath. You’ll be amazed at how effectively this works.
4. Rest And Recuperation
You’re not a robot, you need rest and not just a holiday once a year or so. Clock off work when you’re supposed to and don’t think of work after doing so. Ditto with the weekend. If you have to, turn off your phone and close your emails… let your mind and body get the time out it needs and deserves.
5. Focus On Other Things.
With rest time, you need an outlet to focus on other things that will be good for you. Perhaps taking up a hobby, joining a gym, going cycling with friends, or joining a club. Whatever you are interested in, anything to shift your mind to recuperative pursuits.
6. Be Realistic
You can’t do everything at once so stop trying to do so. You work to live not live to work, so look at your job as just that, not a sacred duty. Commitment to your job is a noble trait but there’s only so much of you to go around. If your health suffers, the job won’t do you much good.
7. Change Of Job?
Maybe one of the reasons you are feeling burnout is because you are genuinely and deeply unhappy in your job. If your mind constantly wanders about finding a new job then perhaps it’s a sign for you to move on. But take it slowly, and don’t rush into anything. See what other jobs are out there BEFORE you make a move.
8. Eat Healthy, Feel Healthy
Your diet is a very important part of who you are and how you feel. Many times, those who overwork and get burnt out can trace part of it down to an unhealthy diet, too much fast food, starchy snacks, too much caffeine, etc. Instead of these things, eat fruit between meals, have a salad for lunch, cook yourself something at home instead of ordering takeaway. Look after your body and it will look after you.
The article “8 Reasons To Leave Your Job… And One Reason Against!” might also be of interest to you. We recommend giving it a read.
9. Keep A Journal
Start writing down in a journal everything that happened that day before you go to sleep at night, pour out your thoughts and fears and opinions and emotions on the page, it will lighten your emotional burden to do so and give you a fresh perspective the next day.
10. Remain Calm
Getting stressed all the time is a surefire way to instant burnout. If something at work starts really getting to you, go to your office or a quiet place elsewhere, close the door, close your eyes and breathe in and out for a few minutes. This will slow your heart rate and make you feel easier. Also, if certain situations make you overly stressed, see if you can avoid them altogether or delegate them to other people.
These tips are time-tested and if you follow them, should make you feel better after a short while. Just remember that you only get one body and one life so it’s important you take care of both… good health to you!
