Trouble letting go of your duvet so you hit repeat five times on your alarm? Does the commute to work seem to require superhuman strength the longer it takes? Are you staring at your computer for minutes on end just building up the willingness to get one task done?
Everyone has experienced this at some point in their working week but, it is taking a step back to acknowledge them, and implement steps to handle them so reaching the ‘burn out’ stage never becomes an issue.
How can you avoid hitting the burnout stage?
Even if you are a chronic over-achiever, there are ways you canavoid ‘burn out’ altogetherand in the process find ways to manage your stress;
Don’t avoid it Instead of pressing pause on the situation address it head on. Whether you take a day off or a week, you will still come back to the same role and the same responsibilities. Changing your outlook, requires you to recognise the negative habits that lead you to suffering at work. That feeling of trying to achieve perfection that is simply not possible will cause you to overwork yourself and ironically, under perform in your role. Removing the self-imposed pressures can then allow you to focus on your work and prioritise.
Run that stress away It may not be for everyone, but there is a reason it is continually recommended. Regular exercise will help you improve your self-confidence, reduce stress levels and increases productivity. You are taking care of yourself and the improved energy you will achieve from getting up and moving, rather than sitting at your desk, will help to prevent the emotional and physical exhaustion that causes burnout.
Be a part of a supportive environment It can sometimes be tempting to deal with stress and work-pressures in a toxic way. For example; if you work in a company that celebrates successes and company gatherings by to the pub and drinking, you will find waking up hungover the next day is not helping with your mental state. It will continually affect your performance, motivation, and for someone who is already experiencing anxiety or self-doubt it can only amplify that.
What helps is a company taking the time to build and be a part of a social culture that caters to all individuals. There will be people who do not drink for health reasons, religion or personal preference. Creating activities that mean you can be yourself and switch off from work mode will dramatically help your mental health balance moving forward.
Use your benefits for a positive outcome If you are lucky enough to have incentives such as ‘duvet days’ then utilise them for more than just a hangover recovery. It will allow you thechance to give your mind and bodythe much needed TLC it might need. Work will always be busy and a high performance environment, so it is important to maximise the benefit of those breaks.
Noticing the pattern?
You may have clocked on by now that we have repeated a few trends throughout this week. This is the main point we want our readers to remember, all of these topics have a direct link to each other. To feel you have achieved amanageable work-life balance,giving your mind a break from technologyandexpressing your true self; it requires you to give each aspect of your mental health the attention it needs. Don’t just use this week as a reason to reflect and then never do it again. But continue to check in with yourself in the coming weeks and months to ensure you are focusing on the positives.