Stress can lead to burnout, which is not uncommon. Herbert Freudenberger defined it in 1974. It’s a feeling that goes beyond being “stressed” out. If not tended to, it can lead to more devastating impacts down the road, and it can affect not just one’s physical health but also one’s mental and emotional health.
Identifying the point at which you’re approaching burnout is crucial. Some symptoms include:
- Physical Exhaustion – Feeling fatigued and drained even if you get rest.
- Emotional Exhaustion – Moodiness, emotional draining and being irritable
- Cognitive Symptoms – Reduced decision-making abilities, difficulty in concerning things
- Physical Symptoms – Muscle tension, headaches, and other physical symptoms caused by stress and burnout.
The road to approaching burnout starts with feeling uneasy and stressed on certain days. Sunday scaries might even begin to come. And then it fully sets in.
Thankfully, we have tips on how you can handle approaching burnout!
Learn To Say No
Professionals feel the need to hustle and keep getting ahead. However, learning to say no can help people mentally. It has to come down to how you treat your responsibilities to manage and avoid burnout. Learn to say no to more work.
Setting Boundaries
Sometimes, working outside core hours is inevitable. However, typical workday expectations need to be precise. Set boundaries on how comfortable you feel working, how early you think, and when you answer your emails. As much as possible, don’t bring work home with you.
Look After Your Health
Life can be busy. Take your time, and don’t forget to prioritize and care for yourself, like food, water, exercise, and time with people. If you have trouble with sleep, consider a tracker and perhaps magnesium oil so that falling asleep will be less of a problem. Find outlets for stress, like online bingo gaming or exercise!
Mindfulness
When the do-to list overtakes caring for ourselves, burnout becomes inevitable. With mindfulness, we check in with what is happening with ourselves. We become more attuned to subtle shifts in our mood and physical well-being. As a result, it becomes easier to point out our struggles more promptly.
Find New Hobbies
Burnout is related to work. However, it would help if you found activities outside of work to enjoy. These activities can be good outlets for stress and help keep the mind off work.
Get Support
Lastly, getting support from your colleagues, manager, friends, and family is essential, especially when you feel overwhelmed at work. Talking to someone can help you feel better and gain more perspective about your current situation. They may also offer you advice and assistance. Surround yourself with people who love you, especially your friends and family. If you isolate yourself socially, you will wallow and feel even worse about the situation.
Wrapping Up
Burnout is common among young professionals. It can also be avoided and managed before it gets worse. These tips help you be prepared and better understand how important it is to have a work-life balance and manage your work.