Not many people get through life without experiencing burnout at some point. Whether it’s from working more than one job, taking care of a sick loved one, or juggling family life while going back to school, burnout is real, and it negatively impacts your life and health.

Common Signs of Burnout

If you think you may be experiencing burnout but are unsure, here are some of the most common signs:

Physical and mental exhaustion

Feeling overwhelmed

A need to isolate

Fantasies of escaping

Irritability

Frequent illnesses such as colds and flues

5 Ways to Prevent Burnout

Exercise

You know exercise is necessary for your physical health, but it is also fantastic for your mental and emotional health as well. Physical activity helps our bodies secrete feel-good hormones, which give our mood a boost. So be sure to commit to exercising at least 3-4 times a week.

Get Enough Rest

It’s essential to get enough restorative sleep each night. Sleep not only helps our bodies build and repair new tissue, but it helps us be able to feel calm and focus.

If you have trouble getting enough ZZZZZs each night, skip caffeinated beverages past 2 pm, ban smartphones and other electronics from the bedroom, and establish a relaxing nighttime ritual like meditation, reading, or taking a bath.

Validate Your Feelings

“Keep calm and carry on.” That’s a fun saying for a throw pillow, but it’s not always the best advice. Sometimes it’s important to admit that you are struggling and that you need a break.

Remember to Play

Just because you’re an adult, that doesn’t mean you don’t need some downtime to just have fun. Whether you want to play a sport, enjoy a hobby, or go to the theater, be sure to make time each week to enjoy yourself and your life.

Ask for Help

During stressful times, it’s important to reach out to others for help. Sometimes all we need is a friendly ear to listen to what’s on our minds and hearts. Let your friends and family know you could use a little support.

If your stress levels don’t seem to go down, you may want to consider working with a counselor who can help you navigate your feelings and offer coping strategies to deal with the issues you have going on.

If you’d like to speak with someone, please reach out to me.

SOURCES

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pressure-proof/201306/7-strategies-prevent-burnout (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pressure-proof/201306/7-strategies-prevent-burnout)

https://www.healthline.com/health/tips-for-identifying-and-preventing-burnout (https://www.healthline.com/health/tips-for-identifying-and-preventing-burnout)

https://psychcentral.com/blog/6-lesser-known-ways-to-beat-burnout#1 (https://psychcentral.com/blog/6-lesser-known-ways-to-beat-burnout#1)

Written by Kim Michael, RP

Kim is a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO # 13293 ) and Certified Trauma Professional offering online burnout and stress therapy (https://thrive-through-therapy.vercel.app/stress-and-burnout-therapy) to people in Brampton and across Ontario.

Book a free 15-minute consult [svg: <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" class="h-4 w-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.7" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M5 12h14M13 6l6 6-6 6"></path></svg>] (https://thrivethroughtherapy.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/1)

This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for professional care. If you’re in crisis, call or text 9-8-8 (Canada) or call 9-1-1.