It’s that time of the year to spend time with family and friends, but do you feel the pressure of your job dragging you down? Don’t let work be your carry-on baggage this holiday season. We asked Mental Health America of Colorado how to prevent burnout around the holidays.
What is burnout?
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that is caused by excessive and prolonged stress that can leave you drained and uninterested.
How do you prevent burnout?
Recognize the signs of burnout. Your body is the best indicator, sending you physical and emotional warning signals like:
- Difficulty getting motivated to take on tasks and projects
- Consistent cynicism at work
- Lack of energy
- Change in sleep and eating habits
How do you fight burnout?
Develop a positive work-life balance as much as you can and find a support system that you can turn to when you feel overwhelmed.
We thought these tips to manage stress at work were helpful:
- Set manageable goals. Meeting priorities helps us feel a sense of accomplishment and control. Take care of the important tasks first and eliminate unessential ones.
- Take five. Small breaks will help clear your head, improve your ability to deal with stress and allow you to make better decisions.
- Communicate effectively. Be honest when you feel that you’re in a bind and be willing to compromise.
We’re trying these tips to manage stress at home:
- Log off of your email and put away your phone; be present when you are at home.
- Get support. Chatting with friends and family can be important to your success at home (and at work).
- Don’t over commit. It is OK to say no.
Stress and burnout aren’t synonymous. We all feel stress—stress about meeting a deadline or buying the perfect present. Stress is natural and having stress in your life is healthy. It’s important to recognize the difference between stress and burnout, and when constant stress is leaving you disengaged.
Need more help to prevent burnout? Visit Mental Health America of Colorado for more information.
Laura James is a communications and marketing coordinator for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.