When you meet with a certain level of success in your job, sooner or later, working long hours without taking time to recharge will likely lead to burnout. Burnout can leave you feeling tired and resentful. It's essential to recognize the signs early to pace yourself and be effective at your job. Successful people know how hard it is to keep up their self-care when they're riding high on success, so they form habits that help them stay ahead of things. Budgeting time to do the things you love helps keep you fresh.
Here are ten tips to help you prevent burnout:
1. Be on the lookout for warning signs. People feel the effects of burnout in different ways. Perhaps you're feeling weary and exhausted without the energy necessary to perform. Or maybe you feel sad or stressed out most of the time.
Some people experience blurred-vision or difficulty finding words or focusing on anything in front of them (called "tunnel vision").
Or you might worry about work all the time, even when you aren't working.
Once you've found the root of your burnout, it's easier to handle it.
2. Take regular breaks. Anywhere from 10-20 minutes can make all the difference between staying in your zone and falling asleep at your desk. When you feel burnout creeping up, take a break for your health and well-being.
Even if you're only winding down for five minutes, sit somewhere quiet to think things over.
3. Follow a good sleep pattern. Studies show that people who get less than seven hours of sleep each night are more likely to burn out. If you find yourself falling asleep at your desk or on the subway, try catching up on some zzz's during weekends.
4. Make regular exercise an essential part of your life. Regular exercise reduces stress and increases energy. If you aren't a naturally athletic person, you might be surprised to find that exercise isn't an inconvenient chore.
There are many ways to have fun while making your body feel better! If you can't get out of the office, try some low-impact exercises like stretches while you're at your desk.
5. Set some goals. When you know you have something to work toward, it's easier to get out of bed in the morning. With dreams, you give yourself a reason to go on, a direction for your energy.
6. Try outsourcing. Switch