If you haven’t experienced it yet, eventually you will experience burn out. In fact, most people have experienced it multiple times in their lives, and I’m one of them.
From my many times of experiencing burn out, I came up with a burnout survival kit, to help prevent or ease the feelings of burn out.
7 Ways To Prevent Burnout
Set Realistic Goals
Unrealistic goals are the perfect remedy for burn out. You will be constantly working towards a goal that’s unachievable, which will cause you to work more with little results.
What to do: Recognize and accept your personal and circumstantial limitations. Work within those limitations and set realistic goals that can be met. You will still have to put some effort and work into achieving them but at least you will actually achieve your goals.
Switch Up Your Routine
If you work from home, have a typical 9-to-5, are a stay at home parent, or a caregiver you probably have experienced burn out way too many times. When you have the same routine, things can feel mundane very quickly. You feel like you’re constantly giving and not doing anything for yourself.
What to do: Create a morning routine, eat outside for lunch, take a walk, work in a coffee shop or co-working space, treat yourself after work with a snack, smoothie, latte, or go to a park.
Take A Break
Life conditions us to be constantly doing something. From the moment we wake up we have to fix breakfast, clean the bathroom, take the kids to school, doctor appointments, clean the car, and make dinner. But what about taking the time to break, to breathe?
What To Do: In your long to do list, why not put something like a coffee break, a walk in the park, or read a book in the middle of it. Or you could plan a vacation, a staycation, or a weekend road trip. You deserve it, you work hard!
Just Say No
Who would’ve thought that a two letter word would be the hardest to say. But at the same time it can feel so freeing. There is nothing wrong with sacrificing your time, but you can’t always be the yes person.
Saying no doesn’t mean that you’re a selfish person. It means you have limitations/boundaries that if ignored will not allow you to be the best you.
What To Do: Here is a series of questions I ask myself to help me to know when to say no:
- Am I the only one that can provide help?
- What does my schedule look like for the rest of the week or day?
- Will this stress me out?
- Can I make time without neglecting myself?
There is nothing wrong with weighing the importance of what is being asked of you!
Say Yes To Yourself
This is not a “me first” section of this blog. It’s a self care section. You take the time to observe others and see what they need, have you done that for yourself lately?
You’re not being selfish if you stop and take the time to give to yourself. You can’t give to others what you don’t have.
What To Do: An important part of this burnout survival kit is to set boundaries. Have set moments throughout your week to do something for you. Watch a funny movie. Hang out with your friends. Sleep in. Stay in your robe all day. Re-energize yourself and value yourself!
Change Jobs
I have way too much experience on how my employers sucked the life/joy out of me. We get so caught up in showing an imbalanced amount of loyalty and dedication and then we get taken advantage of. How that can lead to burn out so quickly!
What To Do: Now, I’m not telling you to quit your job. I don’t know your circumstances. But if you have the chance or option to have a better work environment, you will avoid burn out. Not only that, but you will have a better personal life, family life, and you’ll feel better both physically and mentally. Take the time to weigh your pros and cons!
Find Small Moments To Relax
If you are constantly stressed, burnout is waiting for you around the corner. Like I mentioned earlier, sometimes we can bring on our own stress by not saying no, and taking on too much. Or our circumstances are not what we want or need it to be!
What To Do: Give your brain a break! If you find it hard to relax, here are “15 Ways To Help You Relax” that you can do right now!
I hope that this burnout survival kit will help you!
If this has helped you or you can relate let me know in the comments!
Although I do share from my personal experience or I've researched it, this blog has been prepared for informational purposes only. Visitors who rely on any information do so at their own risk. For more information please visit my disclaimers page.