What To Do To Avoid Burnout

I have a confession. Burnout is never far away for me. Between the day job, the publishing business, the art and teaching women’s karate classes, life gets overwhelming.

Burnout is not fun. But there are many techniques and strategies you can use in your life to avoid it – or get yourself out of it and recharge. Here are some to try.

The first step is to recognize that burnout is encroaching (or is already here) and not ignore it. Sometimes pushing through will only make you feel worse for longer. Address the issue head on by applying one of the techniques below.
Technology adds to our sense of being overwhelmed. We are constantly checking our email, scrolling through the Facebook and Instagram feeds and play games. While at times doing these things may help us unwind, most of the time they don’t help during a burnout. Set aside some time each day to completely unplug. Whether it’s right before bed, in the morning or while taking a walk during lunch, make a conscious effort to not look at your phone or computer during that time. A number of studies found a link between technology and depression in our times. (Just Google “research on link between technology and depression” if you want to see some of the studies).
Take a mental health day. Those are as important as sick days because if you don’t take them, you will eventually need to take a real sick day. No matter how much work you have on your plate, you can afford one day to do this. And when you take it, do not work or do chores. Relax, read, watch TV, go for a massage or engage in your favorite hobby that you never have time for. This one day can make you feel better and stay-off burnout for weeks to come.
Spend a day in nature. Studies found that being in nature reduces stress and boosts health (see https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/nature-health-benefits/index.html). I know from a personal experience that being near water (whether at the beach or at a lake) has incredible stress-reducing results. Trees, grass, sunshine produce energy that we crave as humans. This is especially true for those who live in large cities. Just by virtue of living in a city, life feels extra hectic and overwhelming. Getting out into nature also provides a way to change scenery.
Think of something to look forward to and be happy about every day. It doesn’t have to be something big. Some of the things that I find myself looking forward to are listening to the new music I downloaded or reading a new book I bought during my commute, going to an art gallery during lunch or sitting outside on the deck in the sun for an hour when I work from home. The big things, like an upcoming vacation or a fun date with my husband at the end of the week are great things to look forward to as well.