The World Health Organization describes burn-out as an “occupational phenomenon” that can lead to exhaustion or a reduced personal efficiency which can both lead to an overall negative outlook on one’s job. Over time, burn-out can even begin to affect one’s immune system and increase their chances of developing serious health complications. In other words, burn-out is not simply being tired or fed up with work. Instead, it refers to chronic and excessive stress that affects not only one’s work, but their physical and mental health as well.

With so much at stake, preventing and dealing with burn-out are essential to handling work and everyday life. If you’ve recently found yourself struggling with the effects of burn-out, keep reading for our seven best tips.

Take a break

Taking a break from work while feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities might seem counterproductive, but the truth is, this is the best time to take a break. Taking a step back can help you regroup and encourage you to focus on what really matters – you. This doesn’t mean you need to take off from work for an extended amount of time, but even a long weekend or “staycation” every now and then can make a big difference. During this time, make a commitment to leave work behind – set an automatic OOO email, leave your work computer or phone at home if possible, and really take this time away from work to actually be away from work.

Strengthen your relationships at work

Genuinely enjoying the people you are surrounded by at work can play a big role in how you view your work and your feelings toward your job. Making an effort to befriend your colleagues and forming meaningful relationships has been proven to increase employee engagement, satisfaction, and overall happiness at work. Step out of your comfort zone by getting involved with out of work activities, volunteer efforts, or maybe just getting lunch with a coworker. When you look forward to going to work and conversing with those around you, this can decrease your chances of feeling burned out.

Prioritize sleep, exercise, and eating right

Stress itself can lead to fatigue, insomnia, irritability and anger. Without the proper amount of sleep, physical exercise, or healthy foods, these effects of burn-out can eventually lead to health concerns ranging from a suppressed immune system to more serious complications such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Physical and mental health are intertwined – without properly caring for one, it can become challenging to care for the other. Therefore, in order to adopt a positive mindset in regards to work, be sure to take care of yourself physically by getting an adequate amount of sleep, exercise, and nourishing foods each day.

Focus on interests outside of work

While your burn-out may stem from issues at work, focusing on your personal life outside of work can help alleviate some of your stress. Whether it’s trying something new you’ve always wanted to do or returning to an old hobby, switching your focus to something other than work can help you get your mind off of things and truly realize your purpose outside of the office. Once you realize the difference you can make in other areas of your life, this newfound confidence can follow you into the workplace and show you how much more you are capable of accomplishing.

Establish a work-life balance

A work-life balance is exactly as it sounds – being able to draw a clear line between your work and personal life. For most people, trouble with achieving this balance stems from not being able to leave work at work. For example, people may find themselves checking their work email at home, staying at the office late, or missing out on any free time because of work. If these scenarios sound familiar, it’s time to make a difference. Wherever possible, try establishing a work-life balance for yourself with these steps: create a work schedule that works for you and stick to only working during your regularly scheduled work hours, invest in a separate computer or phone to deal with work, and be sure to take regular breaks throughout the day.

Ask for support

Reach out to those around you in order to let out your bottled-up anger and stress. Whether this is a trusted friend, co-worker, or even your manager, sharing your experiences with others can be a beneficial way to work through your feelings of burn-out and to make a plan for what’s next. You may also find that these feelings are more common than you once thought and hearing from others who have experienced similar situations can be the reminder you need to keep going.

Search for a new job

At the end of the day, dreading work each day and counting down the days until the weekend is no way to live. Fighting your way through burn-out can be exhausting and detrimental to all aspects of your life. If your job is putting a strain on your mental or physical health, your relationships, or work-life balance, you may need more than just a long weekend or better sleep. It may be time to consider a completely new position. At Nexus, we understand the job search can be just as frustrating as dealing with a job itself. That’s why we’re here for you every step of the way. Contact Nexus today for a personalized recruitment plan and gain help from our team of experienced hiring professionals.

How To Handle Work Burn-Out