Preventing Burnout

My 5 Tips for Preventing Burnout in the Workplace

A Google search for “workplace burnout” yields more than 32 million results.

Almost everyone we know has experienced it at some point in their career, and many of us will experience it again.

The unfortunate truth is that burnout is a very real phenomenon and one that is likely to become more common as the world becomes increasingly digital and work continues to become more demanding.

Thankfully, there are ways to prevent or reverse this mental state. Many of these measures are simple changes in behaviour or routine, but they make a big difference over time.

Here are five tips to prevent burnout in your workplace so you can keep loving the job you do for a long time to come.

Everyone has that moment when they feel like every day is a struggle. You know, that feeling of fatigue and stress that makes you wonder why you even bother going to work. It’s the point in your career when everything feels like a strain, from the constant pressure to produce results to dealing with uncooperative colleagues.

Unfortunately, this is not a one-time thing. Even the most successful people in their field can experience these feelings again and again.

So what are some strategies for preventing burnout in the workplace? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Get enough sleep

This might seem like a strange way to start a list of tips to prevent burnout, but it’s an incredibly important one. When we are sleep-deprived, our brains don’t work as well. It’s as simple as that.

We aren’t able to concentrate as well, solve problems as effectively, or perform at our usual high level. At the same time, sleep deprivation has also been linked with several mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, and mood swings.

That’s why it’s so important to get enough sleep. Aim for seven to nine hours a night.

Even the slightest reduction in sleep can have a drastic effect on your performance.

Exercise regularly

Exercise is one of the best ways to prevent mental health issues and boost cognitive function.

It’s been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, increase your energy levels, and even improve your sleep quality. It also stimulates endorphins, your brain’s “happy chemicals”, which can improve your mood and help prevent or reverse feelings of burnout.

Exercising regularly is the best way to maintain good mental and physical health, and it can help prevent many of the issues that plague people in demanding jobs.

Plus, you’ll be much more likely to finish your work if you go for a walk or take a yoga class after work rather than sitting at your desk for eight hours straight.

Take care of your mental and physical health

Healthy eating and regular exercise are just two of the many factors that contribute to mental health.

If you’re not eating well or taking care of your body in other ways, you’re more likely to suffer from stress or anxiety.

When it comes to work, it’s easy to neglect your health. You might be trying to hit a deadline or stay late to finish a project, or you might be working in an environment that isn’t great for your physical or mental health (think a loud open-plan office or toxic work culture).

Take regular breaks to destress and eat well (maybe even get a protein shake or a green smoothie).

If your workplace has poor mental or physical health, see if there is any way to change it or improve it.

It might be something as simple as closing your office door when you need to focus or getting a standing desk. One change can make a big difference.

Have a support network

Your support network is the people in your life who love you and want the best for you.

It might include your family, friends, colleagues, or a therapist. If your work is extremely stressful, a supportive network can be essential for staying healthy.

It can help you release the negative emotions that might otherwise get bottled up and cause you to suffer from mental health issues.

A support network can also help you find a new perspective on your work and situation, and maybe even come up with solutions to your problems.

A supportive network doesn’t have to be people who work in your industry. It could be friends from a hobby, family members, or even people who you met online but don’t know in real life.

Don’t forget to take breaks

Even if you take care of your health, eat well, exercise regularly, and have a supportive network, you’re still human.

You will get stressed, get sick, and hit your mental and emotional limits. When this happens, it’s important to take a break.

Take a day off if you’re not feeling well. If you have hit a deadline and are feeling burnt out, try to take a nap or walk away from your desk for a while. If you find yourself feeling particularly stressed or burnt out, it might be a good idea to take a few days off.

Not only will this give you a chance to rest and recharge, but it will also make you feel more productive once you get back to work.

Burnout is one of the biggest challenges facing modern businesses.

It affects both employees and employers, and it can have dire consequences if left unchecked. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent and even reverse burnout.

The best way to do this is to make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, taking care of your mental and physical health, having a support network, and taking breaks when you need them.

If you follow these five tips, you’re much more likely to enjoy the work you do for many years to come.

Why not book a workshop for your team on wellbeing or even sleep school? A regular massage day can go a long way to giving people some complete self care and a chance to recharge.