Is it time to retire yet? We may only be a decade or less into our careers, but man, the burnout is real, especially after a year like 2020. We know that we have quite a long while to go until we can retire, no matter how tired of working we are. We need that steady income and health care. If you’re wondering how to fight burnout, here are some ways to help.
Tired of Working? How To Fight Burnout
Take Your PTO
Paid time off is meant to be used! For some reason, many of us have this guilt associated with taking it, like it will result in us falling behind, whether that be in terms of workload and promotion. But, paid time off is for you to take a break, recharge, and still get paid for it.
It is time you should use for your own mental health and wellbeing. It is time for you to do what you need to do, and to forget about work for a while. Giving your brain a break and a chance to relax will help fight off potential burnout.
Take Your Lunch Break
How many times have we worked through our lunch breaks? I am guilty of it and I am sure you are too. Especially if you are working remotely, people will see an opening on your calendar around noon and take advantage of it.
It can be difficult to remember to get up and eat! But taking a midday break is important.
Giving your eyes a rest from the screen, giving your mind a rest from the work, and fueling your body will all help you. You will return from your lunch break much more refreshed and with a clearer mind than if you did not take one at all.
Get More Sleep
Are you staying up working late? Or catching up on household chores? Are you waking up super early to get stuff done?
We can all feel like there is not enough hours in the day but it is important to remember to get enough sleep, too! Getting too little sleep can cause burnout.
However, making an effort to go to bed at a decent time every day and getting about eight hours of sleep each night will make you more well rested, resulting in less stress, more energy, and will allow you to think more clearly.
Talk About It
If you are feeling tired of work or potential burnout, talk to it with someone. Letting your boss know how you are feeling will benefit the both of you.
You cannot preform on par if you are feeling burnt out, and that will effect your boss and the entire team. If you are not comfortable going to your boss immediately, confide in a colleague, mentor, coach, or other supervisor that you do feel a closer relationship to. Tell him or her how you feel and gauge their advice on how you should approach it with your boss.
It is also important to talk about it with those who you do not work with as well, so they know what is going on and can look out for you and help you. Whether that be a significant other, a sibling, a parent, a friend, or whomever, reach out to them and let them know what you are feeling.
Who knows, maybe they have felt it too and can provide you with their experience and how they overcame it. Plus, just knowing that you have their support will make a big difference in how you handle your own situation.
Schedule Time For You
What activity makes you the happiest and most relaxed? Is it exercise? Cooking? Reading? A massage? Napping? Whatever the answer may be, think about what it is, and schedule it into your calendar.
Make it part of your routine, whether it be daily (if you can swing it) or every other day. Having time to do something you truly enjoy doing will put you in a better mood to tackle whatever else the day is going to bring to you.
Plus, it will improve your focus, allowing you to finish other tasks you need to get done faster, potentially giving you back time in your day.
If you are tired of working and are feeling the burnout, know that you are not alone. Now that you have recognized this feeling, you can be proactive about it and focus on yourself, your wellbeing, and overcome the burnout before it even has the chance to consume you.
Disconnect for a bit, talk to others about what you are feeling, and do not try and brush the feeling under the rug and assume that it will simply go away on its own. It likely will not, and it will just continue to grow until you reach a breaking point. The above tips will prevent you from getting to this point.
About the Author
Michelle graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelors of Arts '13 and a Master of Arts '14. She's currently working in corporate America with a side of freelance writing. She wants you to learn from her experiences and mistakes so your 20s can be your best decade. When she's not working, she's likely planning her escape to a tropical island.