Put an End to Burnout
Burnout can affect us all, whether you are a student, an employee, or a business leader. It is prevalent for those of us who are highly ambitious and often strive to push ourselves beyond our limits. Even if it is fueled by passion, burning out can harm your physical and mental health. To ensure this does not become an issue, here are a few ways to avoid burning out in any work environment. Burnout is commonly used to describe a feeling of emotional, physical, and social exhaustion due to work-related stress. Burnout occurs when chronic stress gets out of control and causes mental fatigue; work stress often builds up over time. That said, it can be helpful to identify areas in your work life that increase your pressure. It may seem obvious, but knowing which areas of your role are most stressful can help you manage and adjust accordingly. The more you know about the human response to stress, the better equipped you are to handle it. In particular, it can be helpful to remember that our stress response is evolutionarily designed to protect us. Learning more about this process helps you spot your signs of physical stress, allowing you to be more proactive about your stress relief needs.
Simply taking a few slow, deep breaths will immediately engage the body part that initiates the relaxation response. For this reason, taking slow, deep breaths when stressed is a good start. Even if your mind is still working, your body is at least being informed that you are not in imminent danger. To slow your breathing, count the number of times you inhale and exhale, or place your hand on your stomach to notice the rise and fall of your breath.
There are many stress management tools and techniques available. Whether it is breathing techniques, saying gentle sentences to yourself, doing yoga, going for a walk outside, listening to music, or laughing out loud. At least everyone has something to help relieve stress. Setting relaxation reminders throughout your day is a great way to stay consistent in proactively managing your stress. You can select a reminder on your phone or calendar or choose an object with which you begin to associate relaxation.