We hear a lot of about job burnout these days, especially in New York. According to the Mayo Clinic, “job burnout is a special type of work-related stress — a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.”
Burnout can manifest itself by key symptoms such as chronic fatigue, insomnia, impaired concentration, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, depression and anxiety. Early on, you may experience mild symptoms of tension, worry, and edginess. As you move closer to burnout, the anxiety may become so serious that it interferes with your ability to work productively and that’s when the situation can become worrying. That’s when you need to do something.
Having been in that situation myself, I decided to share my top 5 ways to beat job burnout. This has worked for me in the past so I hope it will work for you as well.
Stop working
Seriously. I encourage you to schedule a meeting with your manager as you may need to take a few days off in order to be productive again, which will resonate with your employer. Try to be rational and honest and explain all the reasons you need a break, and why you will be an even better employee when you return. While you are off, it’s important that you are actually off. Forget about your emails and phone calls. You need to disconnect from everything and spend time with yourself. This is about your long-term well-being and health so you need to take it seriously.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle
When I am stressed, I tend to eat unhealthy and exercise less simply because I am looking for ways to feel more comfortable. The truth is that these practices will not help your mental and physical state. Instead, make sure you are exercising, eating healthy and sleeping properly. Focus on your body and its needs. That should be the priority in everything you do.
Meditation: never too much
The popularity of meditation is increasing as more people discover its benefits. In fact, a study from UCLA found that long-term meditators had better-preserved brains than non-meditators as they aged. Meditation is used to increase awareness of yourself and your surroundings. Many people think of it as a way to reduce stress, develop concentration but therefore beat burnout. However, meditation can sometimes be challenging. Many people think meditation is about sitting in a dark room trying to make your mind go empty. But meditation does not have to be physically uncomfortable. And you don’t need to force your mind to go blank. Try simple mindful breathing exercises, which is also a form of meditation. If sitting is uncomfortable, try mindful walking and pair your steps with your breath.
Travel
Taking a vacation and having a change of scenery, even if it is just a quick trip, can have a considerable impact on your mental and physical health. It has been scientifically proven that travel provides a number of benefits to your health. I personally did not want to travel abroad so I decided to travel to Los Angeles for a weekend and pamper myself at the London West Hollywood. I really enjoyed staying in my spacious and comfortable room which had an oversized spa-like luxury bath. It felt like having a private spa in my hotel room which was really relaxing.
I really liked the fact that the hotel puts a lot of emphasis on exercise and well-being. You can see and feel it throughout your stay there. The hotel has an impressive floor-to-ceiling windowed indoor fitness center open 24 hours which offers the finest equipment and services.
Finally, the hotel has a rooftop pool with spacious sundeck and panoramic views. Unfortunately, the weather was not good so I was not able to fully enjoy it. Well, maybe next time! I will be back for sure.
Pamper yourself
Finally, taking care of yourself is an important element. For me, this means getting a facial or a haircut. I recommend trying the Powder Room LA, one of the most beautiful and relaxing hair salons. The salon proudly features the use of sustainable products from ORIBE and Végétalement, which are 100% organic, vegan, bio-dynamic and uses 95% pure essential oils. This is the place to truly indulge in luxury while being responsible. I personally tried the Végétalement hair color because the products adopt sustainable development at all levels: biodegradable products, eco-friendly, reduction of its ecological footprint and water pollution. The result was simply amazing!