Burnout is a real and serious problem, but you don't have to suffer in silence. With a little self-care and some tips on how to deal with burnout, you can keep yourself happy, healthy, and productive at work and at home.
Burnout can happen in many areas of life, but is most common in work and parenting. If you find yourself feeling frequently exhausted, it's a good idea to take a step back and reassess how much stress you are managing. If you're feeling overwhelmed and unable to complete your tasks in a timely fashion, this could be a sign of burnout. If you feel like your work is not making any progress or that it's not important or meaningful, this may mean that there are larger issues at play here.
One of the best ways to beat burnout at work is to set boundaries. This means setting a start and end time for work, as well as a specific time during which you will take a break. This can help reduce stress that comes with working long hours and give you more energy throughout the day! If you have a partner, kids or pets at home who rely on you for everything, it's important to create healthy boundaries here, too. Creating boundaries for both your work and home life can help create that life balance for less overall burnout.
Another helpful strategy to avoid burnout is to learn how to say no. It can be difficult when you feel like everyone expects your help and wants to work with you, but one of the best ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle is by setting boundaries around your time and energy. Saying no isn’t always as simple as it sounds. It can provoke feelings of guilt or anxiety. You may be thinking, “I can’t help it. They need me!” This is a valid response, but you still can say no when necessary. Don't think too much about what people will think or whether they'll be disappointed in your decision—your mental wellbeing is a priority.
Taking time for yourself every day is an essential part of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This doesn't have to mean taking a full day off; it could be as simple as setting aside five minutes before you go home from work each day to relax and unwind. Take the time to do something that makes you feel good about yourself and helps clear your mind of stressors—even if it's just going outside for some fresh air or sitting down with a cup of tea.
If you are struggling to combat burnout or often feel overwhelmed, try seeking professional support. Wayne and Holmes County offer many accessible and affordable mental healthcare resources. To meet with a trained mental health professional, consider contacting one of the following organizations:
The Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes County: (330) 264-9029
ANAZAO: (330) 264-9597
Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland: (330) 262-7836
Wayne/Holmes Mental Health & Recovery Board
We aim to improve awareness of and access to mental health and addiction treatment and prevention services in Wayne & Holmes Counties.
We provide leadership, support, and funding to community partners and agencies in the delivery of mental health and addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services.