Five tips to help you prevent burnout
If you experience stress for a long period of time, your body will eventually lose its ability to process it. Your reserves are depleted, so to speak, and you could develop burnout. This can be caused by excessive workload, financial problems, a demanding academic career, or problems in your personal life. If you notice that you have difficulty concentrating, are often tired, worry a lot, lack energy for daily tasks, and constantly feel rushed, you're heading towards burnout. Therefore, follow the tips below to prevent this!
Take regular rest
These days, we're always "on." Whether it's for work, sports, friends, family, or housework, if your days are constantly filled with "must-dos," it can get to you at some point. That's why it's important to take regular breaks. Make sure you set aside at least one day off each week for yourself. Spend a few hours watching a series, exercising, meditating, or taking a walk. Do something that energizes you and allows you to put your daily worries aside. Be sure to create a weekly schedule that includes your "me-time."
Take good care of your body
A healthy diet combined with sufficient exercise is incredibly important for your mental well-being. It's been proven that healthy eating has a positive effect on your energy levels and, consequently, your mindset. Therefore, eat plenty of foods containing vitamins B and C and avoid processed foods, alcohol, and sugar as much as possible. The latter actually lower your energy levels.
And regarding exercise: half an hour of intense exercise a day is enough. You can also get your exercise from small changes. For example, cycle more often, take the stairs instead of the elevator, pace back and forth while you're on the phone, or take a ten-minute walk during your break.
Talk to people around you
Do you feel like things are getting a bit overwhelming sometimes? Talk about it! If you bottle up your feelings, including your emotions, it will eventually break you. Once you talk to someone about it, you'll feel a weight lifted off your shoulders. It's absolutely not taboo to admit that you find life quite difficult sometimes.
Listen to your body
Your body is naturally very good at setting boundaries. As soon as you push yourself too hard, your body will fight back with everything it has and essentially scream "no, enough is enough." If you experience this feeling, listen to it. It's important not to keep pushing yourself at such a moment, but to take a step back.
Enjoy the little things
No matter how difficult it may be sometimes, always try to look at the positive things in your life. These can be big or small things. For example, a new home or job, or even the fact that you have a nice warm bed to sleep in every day with a roof over your head. Writing in a gratitude journal daily can help you look at all the positive things in life more often. When you're experiencing a lot of stress, it's very easy to forget these positive aspects.