What are the best ways to cope with stress and burnout at work?

1. Awareness and acceptance if you are feeling burnout, lack of motivation to work and a general lag 2. Identifying the source, whether it's the culture, your boss or you yourself 3. Introspect and reflect to bring changes 4. Taki action to identify and bridge gaps 5. Small 10 min daily Meditation and mindfulness goes a long way. Experiment and experience 6. Drink enough water and take minerals. Cultivate healthy habits 7. Keep your health in priority

> Prioritize physical and mental well-being through exercise, nutrition, sleep, and relaxation techniques. > Set boundaries, prioritize tasks, and delegate when possible to reduce workload and avoid overwhelm. > Build strong relationships with colleagues, friends, or mentors to provide emotional support and perspective. ? Sources and related content

I absolutely agree, I’d also add setting boundaries in a workplace setting is also just as important as it is within our personal lives. Having a set of healthy boundaries, what we are willing to tolerate within our workplace is paramount to not burning out.

To cope with stress and burnout at work, prioritize self-care through regular breaks, exercise, and sufficient sleep. Delegate tasks where possible and set realistic goals to manage workload effectively. Foster open communication with colleagues or supervisors for support. Establish boundaries to maintain work-life balance, disconnecting from work during off-hours. Incorporate mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or meditation to alleviate stress. Seeking professional help or counseling can also provide valuable coping strategies. Balancing responsibilities with personal well-being is key to sustained productivity and mental health in the workplace.

Personally, I’ve found that understanding the root causes of stress helps me manage it better. For me, identifying these sources involves reflecting on both external pressures like tight deadlines and internal factors such as perfectionism. I use strategies like regular self-assessment and feedback from colleagues to pinpoint triggers and find practical solutions.

When we are depleted, we can find ourselves more easily defeated. Our resilience mechanisms are down. Our reserves are low. We’re not able to be optimal. Our bodies must have rest - and there are seven types of rest. I encourage everyone to learn the types that help them feel the most refreshed and create healthy rhythms and practice them routinely. Rest is crucial. Our bodies need rest. Our minds need rest. Our souls need rest. And if we’re going to grow through what we go through - we must create space to pause and reflect. Be unrelenting in your quest to establish boundaries. Create space for rest and reflection. Rest is an excellent tool for fighting/preventing burnout.

Self-care is a cornerstone of my routine. I prioritize getting quality sleep, eating balanced meals, and incorporating regular exercise into my week. I also get a weekly massage which helps alleviate any tension built up in my body. These practices not only help me recharge but also keep my stress levels in check.

I once heard someone say “boundaries are our way of teaching other people how to treat us.” I think that’s really powerful. It’s a great reminder that we should know where our lines are and hold firm to them. I often say I’m a recovering workaholic, mostly in jest but there’s truth in it. I care deeply about my work and specifically how it impacts others. If I’m not careful, I’ll tie my identity up into my performance. Which of course would be imbalanced and not healthy. Having a healthy identity is an important part of being able to uphold boundaries. If I’m comfortably rooted in “who I am”, then I can more easily say no and reduce overcommitment. We can’t be all things to all people. We must know our limits.

Setting clear boundaries has been crucial in managing my workload. I use time blocking to dedicate specific periods for focused work, which helps me avoid burnout. I also make a habit of prioritizing tasks, delegating to my EA and learning to say no to non-essential requests. This approach has significantly improved my work-life balance and productivity.

We are reluctant to ask for help. Asking for help can cause more stress! Old ideas still seem to have a chokehold. The old 'pull your socks up and get on with it' attitude seeps in and stops us reaching out. We feel real failure for not being adult enough to cope. That needs to stop right now. We are surrounded by help and even if we feel unable to reach out to those that know us there's information online. Sites on stress-countering techniques, apps to calm your mind and the benefit of a chat and a cuppa is priceless. Don't bury yourself in more work. Take a step back, close the laptop for five minutes and breathe. Have a cuppa and maybe a word with yourself....that word should be 'stop' and the next words should be 'I need help.'

Seeking support from trusted colleagues and mentors has been a game-changer for me. I regularly have check-ins with my team and seek feedback to stay aligned with my goals. Having a support network to provide perspective and advice has been incredibly helpful in managing stress.

I learned the hard way that pushing through stress without acknowledging its impact can have severe consequences. My health scare taught me that recognizing limits, taking breaks, and being patient with recovery are essential. Use your experiences as learning opportunities to make positive changes and avoid future burnout.