Is work stressing you out? Prolonged stress of any kind is unhealthy. Work-related stress could lead to burnout, potentially harming yourself and your career. According to the Mayo Clinic, you may be “burned out” if you:
- Feel unmotivated and unproductive at work
- Have difficulty concentrating
- Are irritable or impatient with co-workers, customers, or clients
- Continually feel unwell
- Console yourself with food, drugs, or alcohol
Managing Stress Can Avoid Work Burnouts
Workers in high-powered jobs with long hours are more likely to become burned out, as are health-care workers and those struggling with work-life balance. A bad boss or toxic work environment can heighten work stress.
The pandemic also has increased stress for many workers. According to a survey conducted last year by Indeed, “more than half (52%) of respondents are feeling burned out, and more than two-thirds (67%) believe the feeling has worsened over the course of the pandemic.”
What Can You Do About Burnout?
To head off burnout, you need a constructive form of stress relief. Exercise is the answer for many people. Go to the gym, run in the park, ride your bike, ski, turn on a workout video. It doesn’t really matter what you do, just keep moving!
Stress-management techniques like mindfulness and yoga also help release stress and boost your state of mind. Don’t know where to start? There are plenty of yoga and meditation videos on Google and YouTube.
Take a break. Even if you can’t get away on a vacation, a brief “stay-cation” can help reduce stress. But make sure to prioritize your health and well-being during your time off by decompressing and doing things you enjoy.
Take Care of Yourself
Stress is physically and mentally destructive. For better energy and resilience, it’s important to take care of your health. Make getting a good night’s sleep a priority. Exercise regularly. Eat well and go easy on caffeine and sweets.
Consider talking to a professional. A counselor can help you sort through your feelings and provide coping strategies.
Alternatively, have a heart-to-heart with someone close, recommends The Balance Careers. “The person you talk to doesn’t have to be in the same industry or understand exactly what it is you do. They simply need to be a shoulder to cry on, which is often all you need to release some of that bottled-up frustration and despair.”
Take Control
Identify whatever is causing you to stress and resolve it.
“Burnout can make you feel powerless,” notes HealthLine. “You may not have had control over what happened to bring you to this point, but you do have the power to take back control and begin to recharge.”
Maybe you need to establish a better work-life balance and learn to leave work at work. If you are overworked, explain the situation to your manager and ask for help.
Evaluate the situation. Learn how to set limits, prioritize and delegate. Which tasks can you postpone? Which can be handed off to someone else?
Taking control of a stressful situation is empowering and energizing, which can help deflect further stress.
Are You Managing Work Burnouts?
If you decide that the only way to resolve your stress is to find a new position, talk to the placement experts at Pro Resources Staffing Services.