Preventing burnout - how to do it?
Preventing burnout is possible and reversing it is also possible. In any case, in order to define what actions to take, it is essential to identify it.
For that reason, in the last two weeks we have been talking about the 12 phases of burnout.
Did you identify with any of them?
If you feel that you are at the stage of total burnout, the best thing to do is to seek professional help.
If you are not yet past the tipping point, the following measures can help you recover from burnout and prevent burnout syndrome in the first place:
Stop multitasking
Multitasking does not mean greater efficiency. On the contrary, we are more absent-minded, less present and therefore less productive at work.
Create a to-do list
Write a to-do list that consists only of the things you absolutely have to achieve each day, rather than being guided by a total to-do list. The bare minimum. This keeps us accountable to the most essential deadlines without feeling overwhelmed.
Addressing underlying problems
Do you have body problems, difficulties with attention, resentment towards a co-worker or family, money worries, feeling undervalued? A range of psychological problems can increase the likelihood of experiencing burnout.
Personal problems affect our ability to do our best work; addressing underlying emotional needs often improves our ability to compartmentalise and cope with stress at work.
Talking to a therapist can help.
Practising mindfulness
There are many misconceptions about what "mindfulness" and meditation really is, but several analyses conclude that mindfulness is associated with a decrease in anxiety, depression and pain.
Bringing awareness and curiosity to issues of concern helps to dissolve them, and an excellent way to do this is to practice short meditations every day. Thinking of it as 'exercise' for the brain helps to improve attitude.
