4 strategies that helped me overcome work burnout

Do you constantly feel overworked and emotionally exhausted from your job?

Burnout is an intense stress that is usually caused by giving more of your time and resources than you have available.

I've found myself in burnout city countless times, but I've managed to get myself out each time.

Avoid work burnout using 4 helpful strategies.

Think of taking a break as the medicine you need to avoid burnout.

When I start a work session, I set a timer to remind myself to take a break.

Taking a break was actually hard for me at first. But having a list of easy break ideas helped me pause.

Check out these break ideas:

• Look away from the screen and list things you can see, hear, and smell.

• Get up and take a lap around your workspace.

• Play a video or song and stretch your body until it ends.

• Do breathing exercises.

What easy break ideas can you add to your work routine?

No matter how you arrived at feeling burnout, you can start to make changes by setting clear and realistic boundaries.

Boundaries help you create experiences that can bring you relief and joy outside of your work.

Boundaries should be:

• Specific and measurable.

• Written down to check progress.

• Easy to carry out each day.

Instead of this:

• Work until the day feels finished.

• Respond to emails outside of hours if needed.

• Take a break when the task is finished.

Consider this:

• Work between the hours of 7:45 and 4:15.

• Schedule out-of-office messages for emails.

• Set timers for work sessions and include breaks.

A work system is anything you do that helps you accomplish a task.

Using work systems every day will get you closer to working only when you need to.

Try out these work systems that have helped me:

• Create a running to-do list. Add to it when work thoughts come up.

• Prioritize one big task each day.

• Break up large tasks into smaller tasks and tackle the list throughout your day.

One easy way to avoid work burnout is to plan activities after work. This allows you to get out of your headspace and live in the now.

Activities that involvement movement, such as walking or working out, can help you release work stress.

Practical tips:

1. Start small. Begin with a low effort activity.

2. Be consistent. Do the new activity at the same time each day/week.

3. Be open-minded. Invite a friend to hold you accountable.

4. Be proactive. Create a list of activities to inspire you to act.

Remember, you have the power to change your relationship with your work. Your burnout free journey starts with a small step in the direction of your peace and happiness.