The world is full of people who work hard and push themselves to the brink. They're driven by ambition, passion, and a desire to do good in the world. But as we all know, working hard doesn't always mean you're doing good for yourself—or others. In fact, it's possible that your drive may be causing more harm than good for both your body and mind. That's where burnout comes in: an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion and depletion that takes hold when you've worked too long without rest or self-care. If this sounds like something you've experienced or feared might happen someday soon (hello!), then read on for ways to recognize burnout symptoms before they become serious—and how to avoid them altogether!
Know the symptoms
If you’re feeling burned out, it can be easy to think that the problem is your job. However, burnout symptoms are not always work-related. In fact, they're often caused by a combination of factors including lack of sleep, poor nutrition and chronic stress—all of which have nothing to do with your job.
Burnout has been linked to other medical conditions including depression and high blood pressure—so if you feel physically ill after a long day at the office or experience mood swings during the week (for example feeling depressed during the morning and irritable later in the day), these could be signs of burnout rather than physical illness.
The good news is that there are ways to tell if you're experiencing burnout: If you feel fatigued all day long without adequate rest or breaks; if your performance drops off despite being able to complete tasks at work easily; if your attitude toward coworkers changes for no apparent reason; or if you have trouble sleeping through the night because thoughts about work keep intruding on your mind—it's time for self-care!
Savor the small moments
Savor the small moments. One of your biggest obstacles to maintaining balance and avoiding burnout is the belief that you have to be working all the time, even when your mind is exhausted or your body needs rest. But if you're constantly working because you're afraid not to be, then eventually you'll end up feeling resentful and trapped in an unhealthy cycle.
Instead of focusing on how little free time you have, focus on what's truly important—and savor every minute that comes with it! Take a moment when things slow down at work or after coming home from an eventful day. Lying in bed with your partner while they read a book aloud can feel like paradise after a hectic week. A morning cup of coffee could easily become something special if taken as an opportunity for quiet contemplation instead of just another task on the list before heading out into the world again; it might encourage us to take more time throughout our days instead of rushing through them without really living them fully.
Master your morning
The start of your day is the most important time to set yourself up for success, so make sure you get a good one. If you have a routine that helps you feel ready and happy when you wake up, it’ll be easier to create positive habits throughout the day. Try these tips:
Eat breakfast within 30 minutes of waking up. Don't skip this meal—even if it's just something small like fruit or a piece of toast with peanut butter on top.
Spend five minutes meditating, doing yoga or stretching before getting out of bed.
Make sure to check off any tasks on your list before heading out the door (yes—even if they seem small). This will help prevent distractions later when there are more pressing matters at hand.
Get some sleep
The importance of sleep to your mental and physical health can't be overstated. Sleep is when your body restores itself, so it's important that you get enough. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours for adults, which may seem like a lot—but if you're getting less than that on a regular basis, then you're probably not getting enough restorative sleep time.
If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night, it's important not just to focus on getting more shut-eye but also on improving your overall sleep quality. Make changes in your routine (like avoiding caffeine late in the day) and lifestyle (such as incorporating exercise into your day). And if all else fails? A daytime nap can help!
Be kind to yourself
Give yourself a break. It’s not easy to be an adult, especially when you're responsible for your own health and well-being. So take care of yourself! If you don't have time to eat right or exercise regularly, at least try to get some sleep and drink plenty of water.
Be gentle with yourself if you slip up once in a while—it happens!
Stop negative self talk by replacing the words “I am lazy” with “I need to get more sleep" or “I am so stupid" with "My brain just isn't working today."
When guilt sets in, remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes sometimes; don't beat yourself up over it unless it was truly severe (like hitting someone).
Stay hydrated
Meditate
Meditation is a great way to relax and reduce stress, but it's also beneficial in many other ways. For example, meditation can be done anywhere, at any time. This means that you're able to take a few minutes to calm down as soon as you feel stressed out instead of waiting until later in the day when it may be too late to do anything about it. Since meditation is meant to calm you down mentally, it helps improve your concentration by quieting all thoughts from your mind so that only silence remains—this allows our brains to rest from the busy day we've had and refresh themselves for tomorrow's challenges.
There are many different types of meditation, so find one that suits you best! If you're new to this practice then try starting with guided meditations since they'll guide both your body and mind through each step of relaxation technique taught within the course content
Surround yourself with good company
The best way to avoid burnout is to surround yourself with good company. If you don't have good friends, then it's time for you to go out and find some. Good friends are like the sunshine that keeps your brain healthy and helps prevent burnout, so if you want to stay sharp, make sure you take advantage of the friendships available to you.
When it comes down to it, the best thing about having good friends is that they can help keep your brain from burning out. They'll remind you of things that are important but easy for us forget when we get busy (like eating healthy food), let us vent our frustrations without being judged too harshly, and even bring a sense of humor into our lives when we need it most. Also: having fun! If this sound like something worth pursuing for yourself, here's how:
Find a space that's just for you
If you're feeling exhausted by your work, it may be time to give yourself some space. Often, when people feel burnt out, they don't have a place that's just for them. Instead of working in an open office or cubicle environment where there are always distractions and the temptation to socialize with coworkers, find a quiet spot where you can do things that make you happy—the kinds of things that recharge your batteries.
This might mean taking a walk around the block in the middle of the day to clear your mind and get fresh air (maybe even with coworkers if you're feeling social). Or maybe it means running on a treadmill at lunchtime so that when 5 p.m rolls around, you don't feel so drained from sitting all day long in front of a computer screen or standing behind a register at work all day long (or both!). Or maybe it means going for bike rides before work so that when 8:30 rolls around tomorrow morning doesn't seem as daunting (and let's face it—most mornings aren't easy).
Burnout is a serious condition that can be prevented and treated
There are two aspects of burnout that are important to understand: how it affects your physical and mental well-being, and how it can affect your career.
Both physical and mental symptoms of burnout have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
A 2010 study found that those suffering from burnout were more likely to experience stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, headaches and back pain than their peers who weren't burned out on the job. This could be due to the fact that they're also more likely to have higher levels of work-related stress—another symptom closely tied with burnout.
It's important not only for you but also for your employer if you're experiencing symptoms of burnout because it can affect productivity at work as well as morale among employees in general."
When we're burned out, it can seem like our life is over. But the truth is that burnout can be prevented and treated. By taking the steps outlined in this article, you'll be on your way to feeling more energized and productive than ever before!