Burnout is one of those things that will not go away by itself, so you will need to take some concrete steps to deal with it before it spirals out of control.
1. sleep and exercise more
Exhaustion can exacerbate the burnout that you are feeling, and lead to serious mental and physical fatigue. Most adults need at least six hours of sleep every night to function properly. If you are not getting that, it’s about time you let your body get the rest it needs. And we are not just talking about one night of sleep marathon to compensate for what you’ve lost. It’s about getting a better balance between work and rest, and not accumulating sleep debt.
Many studies have also shown that exercising could be beneficial for both your body and mind. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that reduce stress and boost your mood. Having a decent amount of sleep and regular exercise routine are essential to improving your physical and mental well-being.
2. take a break
Burnout stems from work-related stress, so naturally, the best way to combat that is to step away from work and go on a genuine break.
Take a week or two off from work if you can, and put some physical and mental distance between you and your inbox. Be it vacationing in Thailand or going on a yoga retreat, give yourself some breathing space and completely disconnect from your work during this period. You may be tempted to check your emails and messages during your time out, but try your best to resist it. Allow yourself to take the foot off the pedal and cut yourself some slack - you deserve the break.
3. disrupt your daily routine
Interrupt the humdrum of your daily life by doing something different, anything at all. It could be as simple as reading a book, watching a comedy series or attending a concert. Do something different that disrupts the monotony and keeps things fresh and interesting. This will allow your brain to concentrate on something new for a change and offer a brief respite from your regular obligations. You may even be able to gain some new perspectives from doing something different and apply the newfound learning to your work.
4. seek support from others
Something that tends to happen to people suffering from burnout is isolation, as they are too often mentally and emotionally drained to keep up with their social relations.
However, it is worth noting that isolating yourself from your support system is extremely detrimental to your mental health. Find time to reconnect with some friends you’ve lost touch with or make an effort to join your colleagues for lunch instead of eating alone at your desk. Some support from others may be just what you need to break out of the burnout cycle.
If you are experiencing symptoms that interfere with how you lead your life, it is important to seek professional help. Working with a healthcare professional can help you manage and reduce your symptoms as safely as possible.
a new environment may be what it takes
Taking a break from work or even trying to sleep after a very long day can be very stressful for people who are dealing with burnout. Sometimes, it is easier to just walk away from the negativity for good, especially if your work is not being recognised by your team and employer.
If you are looking to break away from a burnout, you should think about what will help you be happier in the long run. With the help of our specialist recruiters, you can start fresh in a new job and team.
If the answer is to start fresh again in a new job with a new and supportive team of competent experts, connect with us today.
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