emotionally demanding , so it has usually been brewing for many months . It can be caused by a combination of enduring life stresses , high expectations , lack of support and feelings of pressure .
The good news is there are some simple strategies you can put into practice to help manage and prevent burnout , including :
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This needs to be done with support from your key people at home and work . Do you have enough recovery time between everything you ’ re managing ? Should you use up some personal leave to help manage your ‘ life admin ’ and get on top of things ? Good communication will be key here .
This may help with prevention as well as with recovery from burnout . Remember that burnout is like an injury ; you need time and rest to recover . Give yourself permission to hang out on the couch and jump into bed to get enough sleep .
Exercise
Regular exercise may help
keep energy levels high and help you to recover when you ’ re tired . But try not to let exercise become another source of stress . Be kind to yourself .
Eat well
When we ’ re stressed and tired , it can be harder to take the time to eat well . In busy and stressful times , try to manage your sugar and
alcohol intake . It ’ s common for us to sometimes see both as a reward , but it can be unhelpful in the long run and may contribute to feelings of low energy .
Meditation and mindfulness
It ' s not always something that people consider , but there ’ s strong
evidence that mindfulness-based meditation can help lower stress and give you the mental space you need for prevention and recovery . It could be as simple as starting with some breathing exercises .
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BURNOUT ISN ’ T SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS OVERNIGHT . IT ’ S A RESULT OF STRESS ACCUMULATED OVER LONG- TERM INVOLVEMENT IN SITUATIONS THAT ARE EMOTIONALLY DEMANDING .
Making time for positive interactions with your treasured people may help you have a positive outlook and help you feel supported . It can also help remind you how much people appreciate you . You ’ re already burnt out if you ’ ve been building up a poor self-image and low confidence .
Speak to a trusted person
A friend , colleague or a health professional . The burnout journey can be tough and lonely : it ’ s personal and can mess with many aspects of your wellbeing . Having someone to talk to may help to give perspective , suggest skills and strategies for coping , and give you a general boost . Most workplaces have an Employee Assistance Program ( EAP ) that you can ask about , or talk to your local trusted health professional .
Nearly everyone is prone to burnout if the balance goes out . It ’ s common , and you are not alone if you ’ re experiencing it . The good news is that you can feel better , but it may take time to recover , sometimes many months .
To help you on your journey , healthylife have put together a free
Managing Workplace Burnout guide that is a great resource to build your understanding of burnout and equip yourself with simple strategies to help manage it .
Plus , get expert tips and tricks straight to your inbox with healthylife ’ s
free health programs that span important areas of health such as sleep , mindfulness , stress , exercise and more to help manage and prevent burnout .
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice , diagnosis , or treatment . Any information published by healthylife is not intended as a substitute for medical advice . If you have any concerns or questions about your health you should consult with a health professional .
YMCA HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE 9