What do you do if your self-care routine is not preventing burnout?

"Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own," Bruce Lee once advised. If your self-care routines aren't working anymore, it's crucial to reassess your needs. Life changes, and so do the stressors within it. Identify what's new or different in your professional and personal life. Understanding the evolution of your needs helps tailor your self-care practices more effectively. Are new challenges overwhelming you? Has there been a shift in your personal circumstances? Share how reassessing your needs has helped you adapt. Let’s inspire each other to stay resilient and responsive!

Yes!! It happens! Sometimes self-care is a Band-Aid on a gushing wound. Here's what to do: 1. Diagnose the Drain: Identify the stressor - work overload, toxic boss, personal issues. Knowing the enemy helps you fight back! 2. Revamp, Not Revoke: Self-care isn't one-size-fits-all. Find activities that truly recharge you, and mix things up to keep it interesting. 3. Look Beyond the Bath Bombs: Consider talking to your boss or seeking professional help. Burnt out can also signal a workplace issue – advocate for a well-being culture. 4. Self-Care is a Marathon: Be patient, listen to your body, and prioritise health. With tweaks and adjustments, you can ditch burnout and reclaim your awesome self!

In my experience, if your current self-care practices are no longer effective, it's essential to reassess your needs. Life circumstances can change, introducing new stressors that require different coping mechanisms. Take a moment to identify any shifts in your personal or professional life. Are there new challenges at work or increased demands in your personal life? Understanding these changes will help you adjust your self-care strategies to better meet your current needs and circumstances.

Reassessing one's needs involves identifying the essential priorities and eliminating unnecessary commitments or distractions that contribute to burnout. By evaluating activities, relationships, and responsibilities that no longer spark joy or serve a meaningful purpose,one can create space for what truly matters.

In my experience, seeking feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors can offer valuable insights into your workload and stress levels, especially when you're too close to the situation to see it clearly. They may notice patterns or behaviors contributing to burnout that you've overlooked. With their fresh perspective, you can make informed adjustments to your routine or work approach that better prioritize your well-being.

It's crucial that we embrace a culture of radical transparency and actively solicit feedback from all quarters. By engaging with trusted colleagues, mentors, or loved ones, we open ourselves up to invaluable insights that can shed light on blind spots and areas ripe for improvement, whether it's in our self-care routines or achieving a healthier work-life balance.

Setting boundaries around work hours, digital disconnection, and prioritizing adequate sleep can be crucial in preventing burnout. Warren Buffett emphasizes the significance of focus and saying "no" to opportunities that divert attention from one's core goals and values. Setting boundaries around commitments and learning to respectfully decline can help maintain a sustainable pace.

It's sometimes difficult to explore passions as the workload may seem strenuous, however it's necessary to explore passions as this increase creativity, promotes harmony which flows over into your professional life

It's important to recognize the significance of vulnerability and the strength it takes to seek support when necessary. Despite our best efforts in self-care, if burnout continues to loom, it's essential to consider reaching out to a professional therapist or counselor. Their expertise can offer invaluable guidance and coping strategies tailored to our individual needs, helping us navigate challenges and promote overall well-being.

Start by assessing your current self-care practices. Are they genuinely nourishing and rejuvenating you, or are there aspects that are not serving you well? Consider what adjustments or modifications you can make to better meet your needs. If you find yourself struggling to make time for self-care, consider scheduling it into your calendar just like any other meeting. Even if you can't carve out a full 30min, aim for smaller increments of 5-10 min or even just 1-2 min. We are all unique, and what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. It's essential to explore various methods and techniques to discover what resonates best with you, while also paying close attention to the signs of burnout that you may experience.