Career burnout is a real concern for many. Constantly on the go, without free time to unwind, we run the risk of driving ourselves and our health into the ground. Thankfully, there are ways we can continue being successful at work without sacrificing our personal lives.
Get New Gadgets
One way to ease some pressure is by using technology to simplify your life, such as a Bluetooth dish that knows where your keys are or portable chargers that keep your phone from dying. You can get devices that make nutritious meals easier, too. For example, spiralizers can help cut your carbs while automated peelers turn a task that takes 10 minutes into two. Similarly, pressure and slow cookers can take the stress out of preparing dinner and make cleaning even easier. The fact is, the more free time you have at home, the more likely you are to unwind, and gadgets can help open up your schedule.
Automate What You Can
Gadgets are a good first step toward freeing your downtime, but they aren’t the only method. In fact, there are a ton of services that will do your chores, like cleaning, so you can enjoy your time off. For instance, to tidy up your home, you could hire a one-time house cleaner for about $116 to $228 in Denver. Once your home is spotless, it’s just a matter of maintenance. A robotic vacuum can keep your floors clean without much work on your part. Likewise, meal deliveries can make evenings a breeze, so you don’t have to spend much time on the weekends planning and shopping for groceries.
Socialize Regularly
When we work hard, we can put our needs on the back burner and not see loved ones for weeks at a time. This not only impacts our mental health, but our physical wellness too. Feeling isolated can lower our immune system, worsen our memories and contribute to depression. This isn’t ideal for a strong work ethic. By taking advantage of tech and professional services, you should be able to make room in your calendar to see those you care for. Even an hour or two on the weekend with a friend for lunch can make a significant difference in your quality of life.
Get Help Where Needed
Being overwhelmed at work is a huge factor in career burnout. Unfortunately, many of us aren’t taught how to ask for help when we need it, and as a result, we tend to struggle in silence. If you have a problem you can’t crack, try all the solutions obvious to you, but don’t let yourself drown. Write down some questions you can ask, then go to a supervisor for assistance. It’s good to be persistent, but not to the point of exhaustion.
Don’t Neglect Your Health
If you’re skipping meals, sleep and exercise, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Not only will you feel tired and strained, but you’ll also drive yourself closer to burnout. Thankfully, you can use shortcuts to make staying well easier. While fresh vegetables are the healthiest option, frozen don’t require cooking or prep and are simple to add to meals. Further, rather than hitting up the gym for an hour, work out for 20 minutes. High-intensity exercise makes you go hard for short bursts, allowing you to stay active without needing lots of time. As for sleep, use breathing techniques to force your body to relax, and put technology away at night to help your brain shut off. Work is for working hours, so don’t fall into the trap of still being on call at home.
Don’t let burnout ruin your health or career. When you take care of yourself, you boost your ability to do well at work and alleviate stress. These changes should not be put off to another day!
This post was written for Sound Advice Careers by Life and Career Coach Julie Morris.