Facing Burnout, how to pivot and overcome

By Ruby Snow

Facing Burnout – How to Pivot and Overcome Tips For Coping With Burnout

To understand how to overcome burnout it is first crucial to tackle the question– What is burnout? Burnout is a special type of work-related stress and can be characterized by physical or emotional exhaustion, reduced sense of accomplishment, and even a loss of personal identity. One can experience burnout due to lack of social support, taking on an unrealistic workload, or even just losing a sense of passion and belonging within your field. The symptoms of burnout can feel extremely scary and isolating but it is important to remember that you are not alone and there are strategies to pivot and overcome. Here are some strategies to improve symptoms of burnout:

Seek Support from Family and Friends As simple as this tip may seem, it may be difficult for those who are experiencing burnout to reach out. Feeling burnt out and uninspired can be an isolating experience and may cause someone to disconnect from those around. If you are facing an elevated workload it can be easy to throw yourself into those tasks and forget about the support system around you. It is super important to take a step back and plan time to connect with friends and family. A good work-life balance is key to coping with burnout.

Prioritize Sleep and Exercise Someone experiencing burnout can feel symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. These factors can all be heightened when combined with lack of sleep and low exercise. Understandably, someone swamped with work may feel as though they do not have time for 6 hours of sleep or a 30 minute run but it is critical to make sure these things a priority. Proper sleep can help you feel more level headed and calm, and exercise can reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety and allow you to take your mind off work. A healthy body and mind can really help you tackle burnout.

Respect Your Boundaries It is one thing to know your personal boundaries but it is another thing to respect them. If you can’t respect your boundaries in and outside the workplace, no one else will. It is okay to say ‘no’ to tasks outside of your job description, it is okay to leave work on time and not stay later, and it is certainly okay to step away from a job or career path that no longer serves you. The main thing is to make sure you communicate these boundaries to those around you. It may seem hard to stand up for yourself, but respecting your boundaries will garner you respect and also help prevent burnout.

Step Away and Pivot Going along with respecting your boundaries, sometimes the best way to face burnout is by simply stepping away. This does not exclusively mean quitting or leaving your job permanently, but can also mean taking time off. Using a sick day or vacation days to just relax and detach from the very thing causing you stress can be super helpful. Stepping away is not weak, it often shows strength and proves that you can prioritize your own health. If you do choose to step away permanently, pivoting is crucial. Focus on your career path in ways that serve you. This can be done by following your passion and investing time and money into ideas that make you happy.

Burnout is extremely common and most people in the workforce will face some sort of burnout within their career. Burnout is not the end of the world and there are so many strategies that you can use to overcome this discomfort. Remember that if you face burnout you are not alone. Try to seek help from those around you, practice good sleep and exercise, respect your boundaries, and sometimes, simply step away