Burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that can occur from stress and overwork. Burnout is not a disease, but rather a syndrome that can be brought on by other factors such as chronic fatigue, depression or low self-esteem.
It’s important to know the symptoms and warning signs of burnout so you can take steps to prevent it. Here are some tips for avoiding burnout:
- Take breaks. Breaks are important for allowing your mind and body to rest from all the work you’ve been doing over the past few days or weeks. You might want to take short breaks every hour or so throughout the day instead of taking long breaks once or twice per week. Breaks also give your brain time to process everything that has happened during that time period so when you return from break, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle more tasks head on!
- Get enough sleep. The amount of sleep needed varies from person to person, but seven to nine hours is usually recommended for adults between 18 and 65 years old. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day so your body can adjust its internal clock accordingly.
- Take time off from work after a big project or event has ended. You may be taking on other projects while waiting for the next big thing, but it’s important that you take some time off in between major events so that you don’t get burned out by doing too much at once.
- Avoid multitasking whenever possible because it’s impossible for anyone to do two things at once effectively — even for someone who seems to be able keep several tasks going at once effortlessly (like driving while talking on the phone). Multitasking causes stress because it requires your brain power to constantly switch back.
