Struggling with burnout and (likely) trying to beat a persistent illness? Well, it might be time for you to take matters into your own hands! (I know I had to!)
Before the going gets too tough, start taking small steps now towards better physical and mental health.
In this blog post, I’ll share five of my favorite tips on how to get back in the game before it’s too late. By taking charge of your well-being today — like getting more sleep or drinking more water — you can make sure that yesterday’s tiredness or last week’s symptoms don’t become tomorrow’s reality.
So grab a warm cup of tea (or another beverage of choice) and read on; let’s explore these 5 little things you can do today for a healthier, happier tomorrow!
5 Things to do before you’re completely burned out (and sick!)
I speak from personal experience when I say, ‘no one is coming to save you’ – yep, we are ultimately responsible for our own life decisions and well-being. So if you don’t start taking care of yourself – who will?
This may seem harsh (and maybe it is?!) but you can’t take a backseat in your life and expect to create health, career and family opportunities.
Feel like you’re getting steamrolled? I’ve been there. Here are 5 things to do NOW to take control of your life and avoid burnout & illness.
“Just because you take breaks doesn’t mean you’re broken.”
— Curtis Tyrone Jones
1. REST like you mean it
Burnout is real. And can easily take over our lives without us even noticing. A study by Deloitte hammers this point, revealing that 77% of us have experienced burnout at our current job.
Yikes.
So I beg of you. Take a break. Put up some boundaries. Step away…
I get it. Sometimes it feels like no matter how hard we try and stay on top of our tasks and responsibilities; the stress just keeps piling on.
To keep our minds sharp and combat potential burnout, it’s important to take time and unplug ourselves.
Whether this means getting out of the house and going for a long walk, enjoying lunch at a nearby park, or just turning off our devices for an hour or two; taking care of ourselves needs to be a priority.
If you don’t take a breather now, you’ll likely be forced to later when disease hits! #preach
2. Learn to say No!
Friend, I get it. I’m probably one of the biggest people-pleasers I know. But these people will take, and take and take.
Overtime for your boss?
Helping your friend move
Volunteering for another nonprofit?
Not all bad, until it tips the scale to burnout! If saying yes has become a habit rather than a decision, be careful!
Take an inventory of your schedule, then be ruthless at cutting back.
One thing I learned as a recovering burnout was this: take a hard look at your calendar.. If the activities don’t line up with your values, re-adjust!
3. Take time for YOU
As the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” – and it’s impossible to stay productive when you’ve let yourself get completely exhausted.
It’s time to show yourself some good ole fashioned self-love.
Carving out ‘me time’ will help reduce stress levels, clear your head, give you perspective, and ultimately help you avoid burnout.
Whether this means taking half an hour for a power nap, dedicating Sunday mornings to reading in bed, or indulging in a weekly yoga class (my favorite) – looking after yourself has real benefits.
Start to view ‘me time’ as an investment rather than an expenditure; it’ll pay off because with less stress, more mental clarity, and an even healthier YOU!
4. Get organized (Marie Kondo style!)
Let’s face it. We could all be more organized. But this becomes increasingly important when our stress levels are through the roof.
Making sure all your ducks are in a row and taking preemptive measures can go a long way in avoiding burnout.
For example, set yourself daily goals and timelines to ensure that you’re making progress on tasks without feeling completely drained before the day is over.
Or break down bigger projects into smaller, manageable chunks – and make sure to celebrate each accomplishment along the way! (Sometimes, I add things to my to-do list that I already did just so I can cross them off!) 🙂
Ultimately, if you stay organized and proactive about the work ahead of you, chances are you won’t hit burnout mode nearly as often.
5. Find some excitement
There’s always something out there that can give you back the thrill of life. You just have to seek it!
Rekindling an old hobby or trying something completely new can be a great way to pull yourself out of the slump and restore your enthusiasm for life.
Try hiking somewhere new, call up an old friend who makes you laugh, or simply switch up your morning routine. We don’t have to book a trip to Bali or learn a new foreign language to feel rejuvenated – even bite-sized change and excitement can have profound effects on our mood.
Regardless of what it is, it’s important to find something to get excited about again if we’re feeling burnt out so we don’t feel like life is one big drag!
The wrap-up – Avoid Burnout
Burnout can creep up on us and even be hard to recognize. I know that during this time, I described burnout as if I was a frog in water that started to boil slowly!
If you’ve been feeling burned out lately, the 5 steps outlined here will help you begin the healing process. By making small changes today, like introducing more me-time into your schedule, learning to say now, and getting organized, you can protect yourself from future burnout.
We all need a break every once in a while, so give yourself permission to relax and let yourself recharge. Taking action now can make all the difference!
Share your stories with me! I wanna know 🙂
Xo,
Jules
