Feeling Burned Out? Try These 5 Strategies to Help

When you work hard and take an ambitious approach to your career, burnout becomes a significant danger. However, there are ways to minimize the risks. You just need to learn strategies to cope when you start feeling burned out.

Burn out can pose a serious issue. A survey run by Gallup showed that approximately two-thirds of workers report feeling burnout at least some of the time. Meanwhile, almost a quarter (23%) suffered symptoms “more often than not.” That’s a large chunk of the workforce riding a mental razor’s edge each day.

If you’re part of the one in four workers who feel burnt out most of the time, you need to take action. The constant stress can lead to serious problems. At the very least, burn out colors your attitude toward work, sapping your motivation and making you less productive. In extreme cases, you can experience medical problems, such as headaches, heart issues, insomnia, or even struggles with addiction.

Now that you know the risks, it’s time to take action. Here are five strategies that can help when you’re feeling burned out:

Remember Your Passion

Burnout can happen as a result of simple overwork – just putting in more hours than you can handle. However, there can be more complicated causes as well. You can tolerate a larger burden if you love what you do. On the other hand, if you’re not sure about your career path, it’s a lot easier to reach the end of your mental stamina.

Try to find passion for your work. With the right drive, you might not feel as run down. Find a larger mission beyond scoring a paycheck and you could feel better about the pressures you face.

Take Mini-Breaks During the Day

Sometimes a few calming moments are enough to ward off burnout. Find time during your day for recharging your batteries. On the extreme end, you might benefit from a power nap. A 20-minute rest in the middle of the day might set you up for a more pleasant (and more productive) afternoon.

If this isn’t possible, you can still break the burn-out cycle by taking a few minutes to yourself. Read a book, watch a YouTube video, or just zone out for a few minutes. Taking your mind off the grind for even a short period of time can make all the difference.

Find Someone to Talk to

Venting helps. When you bottle up your frustrations, you’re just asking for a blow-up down the road. Find someone you can complain to about work. Just discussing your problems can make things feel better.

Be careful about your choice of amateur therapist, though. It’s fine to talk to a spouse, to a significant other, or to an outside friend. But don’t spout off to your boss – that might just lead to bigger problems. And be wary of your coworkers as well. They might understand your situation, but they might harbor ulterior motives as well. You don’t want to become the source of office gossip.

Ask About a New Schedule

So far, we’ve looked at short-term solutions to avoid burn out. These can alleviate the symptoms…but they won’t eliminate the underlying problem. To do that, you’ll have to consider bigger changes.

If unbearable stress has become a constant part of your routine, you might need to alter your schedule. Talk it out with your boss. See if you can modify your schedule to reduce your workload. Try to cut your overall hours, build in more vacation time, or decrease your stress levels. Ultimately, you’ll be happier and more productive in the long run.

Consider Your Long-Term Options

Burn out might be a sign that you’re in the wrong position. Little changes might not be enough. You might need to consider something more drastic, like finding a new opportunity that provides a better long-range fit.

Taking a leap like that can be scary. It gets easier when you have the right support. A strong staffing agency, like SmartTalent, can find the perfect position for your skills and lifestyle.

Contact SmartTalent today.