Avoiding Burnout

There is one epidemic that seems to plague everyone in today's fast-paced culture, from students to CEOs: burnout.

But what is burnout? How is it different from regular stress? According to Psychology Today, burnout is "an extended period of stress that feels as though it cannot be ameliorated." When stress is connected to a specific goal or a short period of time, it's typically not harmful. Burnout, however, is categorized by feelings of hopelessness, a sense of dread about work, dwindling compassion for those in the workplace, and feeling like you can no longer do a job effectively.

So how do we avoid these feelings, then? One of the best suggestions Psychology Today gives s improving work-life balance. During these times, when record numbers of people are working from home, work-life balance can seem nearly non-existent. To help avoid this, try starting and stopping at set times and schedule regular breaks for yourself. It's also important to say no to any new tasks that might overload your schedule and minimize multi-tasking.

If, despite your best efforts, you begin to feel burnout creeping up, don't fear! There are plenty of things you can do to help. Start with the ABCs of self-care.

• Awareness: Check-in on your body and emotional state. Is your jaw clenched, or is your chest tight? Are you feeling on edge or hopeless in regards to your work? Take some time to recognize and acknowledge these feelings.

• Balance: Are you keeping up on that division between work-life balance? Are you taking enough time to relax and recharge?

• Connection: Build supportive relationships with people in many different areas of your life, including work! Even the most introverted people benefit from solid connections and healthy relationships. Make spending time with friends and family a priority, whether you do it in person or virtually.

Life presents plenty of challenges and stressors, but we can overcome!