Burnout can happen at any time to anyone, so it’s important to prevent it. Psychologists have simple strategies for recognising issues that can lead to burnout and giving you methods to deal positively with them.
Burnout is a state that is best described as complete exhaustion.
You may feel as if the world is ending, and you’re completely overwhelmed by everything and everyone.
Burnout can occur at work or at home.
Try these techniques to stop burnout in its tracks:
1. Find a creative outlet.
Creativity is one of the best ways to prevent burnout.
Do you have a creative outlet you can use to make your life easier?
Do you love to draw, paint or play an instrument?
It’s important to find a creative way to release energy and fight stress.
Personally, I love losing myself in the world of online gaming.
2. Find time for yourself.
Do you spend all of your time working and taking care of family or friends?
It’s crucial to find time for yourself in your busy schedule.
Carve out some time each day to relax and do something you enjoy.
Chores, work, family obligations, and everything else can wait.
One of the main reasons burnout happens is because people keep pushing themselves and don’t take enough breaks to regroup and heal.
Psychologists recommend spending some time away from your to-do list.
For example, you may want to eat lunch away from your desk in a more relaxing environment that truly gives you a break.
I love going to the Athletics track where I train, and cashing many of my free moments in for fitness and sanity.
3. Reach out to others.
Prevent burnout by talking about your concerns or worries with others.
Do you have someone you can trust, so you can share the issues that weigh you down?
Communicating your concerns can help you discover new solutions to your challenges.
The support a friend or loved one provides can help you avoid burnout.
If need be, book a session with a good counsellor or pastor.
Talking about it does wonders.
It’s tempting to avoid others during burnout and avoiding people is also quite natural at these times, but talking about the issues can help you solve them faster.
4. Dig deep into your mind and soul.
Look inward.
Introspection.
Self-reflection.
Why are you burning out?
What is truly causing the stress in your life?
It’s important to look inside instead of just focusing on external issues.
Are you being a perfectionist?
Are you taking on too much work or home responsibilities?
Evaluating your life can lead to crucial burnout solutions.
5. Focus on the positive.
Burnout can occur because your focus is lost and misdirected to negative emotions and thoughts.
Remember, energy flows wherever focus goes.
Change your focus, and you can change your life.
Consider your daily thoughts and feelings.
Are you focusing on the negative aspects of every situation?
How can you change this, so your thoughts are on a more positive path?
You may want to create lists of positive actions and thoughts throughout the day to stay on track.
You can keep a notebook of inspirational ideas to help you avoid negativity.
An App that I use daily for this is called Evernote.
It’s important to recognise negative emotions and what causes them before burnout occurs.
You may have to set boundaries with people who are creating negativity in your life.
You may have to say no more often and reject more work or responsibilities to stay balanced.
By focusing on the positive, you can reconsider your life goals.
Often our own ambitions can inadvertently cause unnecessary stress and eventual burnout.
You can prevent burnout by following the advice of psychologists and taking time to relax. Put these tips to use each day and you’ll feel better sooner than you think!
If you need to talk, please contact me today and book a session in person or via Skype.
