Image courtesy of Jeremy Noble’s photostream
In my last blog I talked about the red flags and warning signs indicative of job burnout. As promised, I have a number of ways to avoid and overcome it, though as I stressed previously – if you suspect you’re experiencing job burnout, I strongly encourage you to reach out to your physician.
Without further ado, here is a list of things you can do to prevent job burnout:
• Get Away – You don’t have to go on vacation to get away. Find an escape like golf or playing music to help take your mind off of the stressor of work
• Eliminate Processed Foods – Everything you put in your body makes all the difference in your physical wellness. A consistently poor diet can lead to another stressor on top of what you’re dealing with at work. Eliminate processed foods, alcohol and caffeine. Instead eat vegetables, whole grains and fruits. Your body will thank you for it.
• Breathing Exercises – I actually just tried this before writing this sentence… it’s the simplest thing you can do and can make you feel pretty good when you’re done. Once an hour, breathe in for 6 seconds and exhale for 6 seconds, 5 times in a row. This will allow additional oxygen to flow through your body, giving a little extra juice to your blood cells. If you’re serious about this, you’ll find it to be quite the effective anti-stressor
• Eat in Silence – According to Forbes: “At Miraval Resort in Tucson, Ariz., corporate groups that take part in the new Executive Strategy Package enjoy a breakfast in complete silence. Instead of eating on the run or in front of a TV or Web site, the program shows executives the importance of putting their forks down in between bites, helping them eat less and feel more satiated, so they can taste a meal’s textures and flavors.”
• Sweat – Breaking a sweat, while not a cure-all, will release trace amounts of toxins from your body and can make you feel good both mentally and physically
• Stretch – Extend your legs out in front of you, pushing your heels out, and hold this pose for five minutes; repeat three times – you’ll get your blood flowing and your mind off of what’s bothering you. This is especially effective when flying.
…and the list goes on. You can read more about it here. Additional suggestions include cultivating a rich non-work life, getting at least 6 hours of sleep each night, paying particular attention to your organizational skills and learning when to say Enough is Enough.
While many of these things may seem simple or trivial, they can play a vital role in keeping you from job burnout and allow you to continue to live a happy and healthy life both in and out of the office.