Experiencing burnout in the workplace? You’re not alone. While burnout itself is nothing new, it’s only become a more prevalent issue during the pandemic due to increased social isolation and financial stress.
Burnout is brought on by a few different factors, and unfortunately, it’s often made worse by those we cannot control. For example, in today’s work culture, it’s common to be “on call” around the clock with messaging apps, email, and other communications connected to our smartphones. Feeling burned out may also stem from a lack of direction or recognition for your workplace achievements.
It may not be entirely possible to address burnout triggers, but you can adjust your outlook and improve your mental health with the following coping strategies.
Identify What Self-Care Means for You (and Make Time for Those Activities)
Self-care is often touted as an antidote to burnout, but it can be difficult to identify what self-care means for you. Self-care activities may include exercise, meditation, outdoor time, reading, or even a long bath. You may need to experiment with a few different activities in your routine to find what works best for you. Keeping a journal to track how you spend your time and ranking how each activity makes you feel can give you perspective on what’s working and what isn’t. It might also shed light on what you can change within the workplace to reduce feelings of burnout at the source.
Unplug from the Office
If you feel that you’re constantly attached to your workplace via technology, it’s time to establish boundaries for your screentime. Start by dedicating time for dinner with the family, daily walks, and unplugging from your email, messaging apps, and other workplace communications in the hours before bedtime.
Talk to a Therapist
It’s not easy to tackle feelings of stress, cynicism, and futility alone. Speaking with a therapist can help combat these feelings and get you on track with more positive ways of thinking. Especially if burnout has affected your personal health and relationships, starting therapy can be incredibly beneficial.
Get the mental health support you need without a significant investment of your time with MeMD. With teletherapy services available in as little as 24 hours, you can get on the right track to reboot and feel ready to take on the challenges of your daily life.
