6 Steps to Beat the Burnout
Many of us seem to have less time than we need nowadays and stress levels are on the increase – but many of us also plod on without much regard to our health or even our sanity. The good news is that there are things you can do right now which could make a big difference to your time management, create a better life balance and make it easier to cope with everything the day has in store.
Is it really all that bad?
In normal, everyday life, stress is quite a useful thing. It keeps us alert, challenges us and ensures we get the right amount of physical and mental exercise to function well in this modern, sometimes confusing world.
Unfortunately, too much stress can be as detrimental as too little. The problem is that we get used to stress levels quite easily, without realising the damage that is potentially being done. If you have a deadline packed job to perform you get acclimatised to the daily stress, the need to rush around finding solutions, the constant drive from bosses and clients to get things done on time. You get used to balancing a whole bunch of things and because of that you get more work foisted upon you – simply because you’re good at your job.
On top of that you might have one or several children to get to school, ferry to extra-curricular activities, look after when they are sick. Then you have to cook and clean and fix the seal on that door or paint the back bedroom or any one of a hundred jobs that need to be done. In between that you have to find time to exercise and do the weekly shop as well as fit in that visit to friends you haven’t seen in a while…
In essence, all that stuff builds up.
For some reason we all seem to think that we should just muddle through. Actually, taking a step back and reviewing everything once in a while can make a big difference to the way we cope with a hectic lifestyle and ultimately how we view the world and our place in it.
Often we have spent so much time simply getting things done that we tend to forget to ask why we are doing them in the first place. We also stop looking at those goals we had when we were younger – the ones that were going to make our lives so meaningful. It’s all very well being on this life journey but if you have forgotten how to enjoy it then something is seriously wrong.
Here’s the thing: Not only can having a better life balance bring health benefits, it can also improve productivity and create success.
Here are 6 ways to take the hectic out of your life:
- Switch off: You may think that work can’t live without you but it actually can. Find a few hours in the day where you turn off the mobile, tablet or desktop and give your working brain a rest. Better still, take the weekend off and do something fun.
- Cut out the pointless stuff: Most of us add things to our life without contemplating the consequences. Be more ruthless when it comes to saying no to stuff that doesn’t add value to your life.
- Work on relationships: family, friends, you can’t ignore them just because you have a deadline to meet. They are important and you need to set aside the right amount of time for them – and that includes not spending your downtime slumped in front of the television.
- Health: Of course you need to stay healthy when life is hectic. That includes what you eat as well as the exercise you take. Stay away from comfort foods and make healthy choices such as plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit. If you aren’t a keen exerciser then a simple walk can make all the difference.
- Be mindful: A spot of meditation during the day can make a big difference to your mental health. It may all sound very new age, but research shows that quietening the mind and concentrating on the breath can help us de-stress and lead healthier lives.
- Have a treat, have fun: It’s okay to treat yourself once in a while. When our lives are so hectic that we forget about ourselves then it is time for a little pampering. Life, after all, is all about having fun – don’t forget to laugh once in a while even if what you are doing is deadly serious.
A hectic lifestyle doesn’t have to mean coping with high stress levels and an unending list of things to do. By sitting back and realising what is actually important, most of us can trim some of the excess and make life more manageable and more enjoyable. The great news is that it will also make life more productive.