The World Health Organization (WHO) recently included “burnout” in the 11th Revision of theInternational Classification of Diseases as an occupational phenomenon. It is not classified as a medical condition. People in this age are simply bombarded with numerous deadlines and goals powered by an unhealthy amount of pressure.
As defined by WHO, “Burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’sjob, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.”
Here are five ways to best avoid burnout. Take action!
Daydream
Allow yourself to daydream. Imagine yourself in another world. Visualizing something you’ve always wanted to have or experience. If you feel down, don’t let yourself sink further. Take action. Ignore the noise and hate around.
Sit quietly and listen to the sound of birds or flowing water. If you’re in the city, grab your earphones and find an app. Help yourself to give way for some daydreaming.
A new study from the Georgia Institute of Technology suggests that daydreaming isn’t a bad thing. It allows you to be creative. Daydreaming, to a healthy extent, helps you forget the unpleasant feelings.
Check our Science Daily’s resources on daydreaming and a journal entitled, “Functional connectivity within and between intrinsic brain networks correlates with trait mind wandering.”
Resolve issues with colleagues.
Keeping quiet and holding grudges isn’t good. You need to let things out, especially if someone else’s attitude consistently bothers you. What you need is a good approach. ut first, check yourself. Always aim to be a better co-worker. If things still go wrong after all your effort, be the better person. Pretend your children (or future children) are watching.
Check out a Reader’s Digest article by George Miata, “13 Ways to Be a Better Co-Worker.”
Ask for feedback.
New challenges always spark things up. In order to discover them, you need all the feedback you can get. If time permits, ask for a one-on-one talk with your supervisor. Be transparent about needing that extra motivation. Be open to constructive criticism, no matter how harsh it may seem.
Ask feedback as well from people you manage or train. It is essential to reflect on other people’s perception of us, especially if the intention is for our betterment.
Check out “This Is The Right Way To Ask Your Boss For Feedback” by Gabriel Shaoolian.
Rest if you must. Rest because you really must.
Take that needed vacation leave. Avoiding burnout requires a lot of grit and energy, so take time away from work. It’s better if you spend your time alone. It doesn’t have to be grand and costly. All you need is time away from notifications, alarm clocks, blue light, and city noise. You can even best spend it in the comfort of your home.
Check out “How to create that Meditation Space you’d love to have at home” by Cielo Anne Calzado of Real Living.
Join a self-improvement workshop.
Be extra equipped from self-improvement workshops. These activities will help you learn from others’ struggles and victories. Surround yourself with healthy peers and great ideas.
Various self-help programs aim to help people who are undergoing crisis at different stages. They help people cope and to be more focused and independent. Workshops are practical investments. After all, it is never a bad idea to invest in yourself.
Choose a workshop with a holistic approach and with a topic you can practice lifelong.
I would also like to invite you to join our Vision Board Workshop, patterned after JackCanfield’s The Success Principles. Get extra energized and see your dreams turn into reality.
Everything you want is out there waiting for you to ask. Everything you want also wants you. But you have to take action to get it.
—Jack Canfield
