5 Tips to Get Through Burnout

In psychology, burnout is described as mental, emotional, or physical exhaustion due to constant or excessive stress. Burnout can come from your job, school, or even relationships. It’s tough to overcome burnout alone, so I’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to help you get through it:

1. Set boundaries

It’s ok to not say “yes” to every request your friends or coworkers might make. Feel free to block off times in your schedule when you are not available. Aside from creating boundaries with your time, you can establish emotional boundaries as well. It’s ok to put your feelings first. When you are experiencing burnout, don’t feel pressured to seek the approval of others or take responsibility for their feelings.

2. Make time in your schedule for relaxing

You can only give so much until there’s nothing left of you to give. If you don’t take time to relax and recharge, you won’t move past the burnout stage. Allow yourself to take a break from your hard work and schedule a time that is meant solely for you to relax. Spend time engaging in your favorite hobby, watching a movie, or going for a walk outside. Do what you can to take a little bit of stress off your shoulders.

3. Get enough sleep

I get it. When you have a lot to do, a full night’s sleep is one of the first things to go. But not enough sleep does more than just lower your energy. A lack of sleep can contribute to negative moods and make it harder to focus. Not only will you feel tired, but your quality of work will soon diminish. So, one of the best ways to beat burnout is to focus on getting the right amount (and quality) of sleep.

4. Remind yourself why you started

When you are experiencing burnout, it could seem like all your hard work means nothing, and that your career or your education isn’t worth all the stress you’re experiencing. Try to think back to when you started your job, or when you began working on your degree. What was driving you to begin in the first place? Reconnecting with your original motivation and passion for your work will help keep you strong when things get tough.

5. Seek support

Experiencing burnout (especially at this time of year) is a completely normal and valid feeling! Let somebody know that you are feeling tired and unmotivated. It always feels good to get it off your chest. Plus, admitting these heavy feelings to someone you trust can help make you feel more supported. That way, you know you’re not in this alone.