Job burnout is a hot topic these days. There are numerous layoffs in the technology industry and elsewhere as companies adapt to tighter economic conditions. For many younger people, this is their first indoctrination into how businesses throttle up staffing when times are good, and quickly cut headcount when things are bad.
That leaves some people scrambling to find a new job, while those that remain at a company now have to do more work to cover for those that have left the company. People feel the drain both mentally and physically.
If your work leaves you feeling tired, powerless, and frustrated, you may indeed be suffering from burnout. But before you do something drastic like quit your job or switch careers, try a simple revitalization program that can renew your energy and rekindle your tired spirit.
Many people can recharge their mental and physical energies in as little as a week. They renew their energy on a daily basis to overcome their burnt-out state of mind. Here are some tips on doing that.
The first step is to understand why you're feeling so drained of energy. Keep a log of your daily activities to identify what's causing the burnout. Think about what you can do free up your energy. What are your priorities? Are there any tasks you can delete or delegate? Would anyone notice if you didn't do a particular item or if you didn't attend a meeting?
Start taking control of your time by realizing that you don't have to accept every meeting invitation or tolerate every interruption. Learn how to tactfully say no and fend off interruptions to save your energy for more important matters.
Second, keep your body nourished with healthy foods to keep your energy levels up, something you definitely need during a burnout crisis. Very often people react to stress by drinking more coffee, eating unhealthy fast foods, and quitting their exercise routines. This is a road to disaster.
Cut back on caffeine, alcohol, sugar, fat, and salt. Do regular exercises to help calm your fears, increase your strength and stamina, and raise your energy level.
Third, a lack of sleep weakens our concentration and impairs our decision-making and creative thinking. It also causes health problems and undermines our immune system. It's ironic that during times of stress, when we need the most sleep to be alert and perform well, we're often unable to relax enough to get the sleep we need.
If quality sleep time is eluding you, assess your pre-sleep activities to make sure you're allowing yourself to relax before slumber. Are you still working immediately before going to bed? Are you reading or watching violent programs? Are you drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages until late in the evening? All these factors may be disturbing your sleep patterns and not allowing you to recharge fully.
An hour before going to bed, power down by focusing on calm things, turn off your phone, and let your mind and body relax.
Instead of viewing daily problems as a source of stress, look at each problem as an opportunity for self-discovery and growth. Stop expending valuable energy mulling over a problem and letting it scatter your thoughts. Think about the problem from a different perspective to open up your mind. What outcome do you want to achieve and how do you envision yourself doing so?
Once you pinpoint where your energy is being drained and find simple ways to renew yourself, you can overcome job burnout. The key is to focus on yourself, your surroundings, and your energy, in order to keep your burnout at bay.
