What do you do if you're feeling overwhelmed by burnout in the hospitality industry?

1 Recognize the signs

The first step to deal with burnout is to acknowledge that you are experiencing it. Some common signs of burnout are feeling tired, irritable, cynical, detached, unproductive, unmotivated, dissatisfied and hopeless. You may also have physical symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, digestive problems, muscle pain and lowered immunity. If you notice any of these signs, don't ignore them or blame yourself. They are signals that you need to take action to improve your well-being.

2 Seek support

You don't have to suffer alone. Reach out to your family, friends, colleagues, manager, mentor or a professional counselor for help. They can offer you emotional support, practical advice, feedback, encouragement and empathy. You can also join a support group or a network of other hospitality workers who understand what you are going through. Sharing your feelings and experiences with others can help you feel less isolated and more hopeful.

3 Set boundaries

One of the main causes of burnout is feeling overwhelmed by too many demands and expectations. To prevent this, you need to set clear and realistic boundaries for yourself and others. Learn to say no to requests or tasks that are beyond your capacity, scope or interest. Communicate your needs and preferences to your manager, co-workers and customers. Delegate or outsource some of your responsibilities if possible. Avoid taking work home or checking your phone or email constantly. Schedule some time off or take a vacation if you can.

4 Practice self-care

Burnout can take a toll on your physical and mental health, so you need to prioritize your self-care. This means taking care of your basic needs such as eating well, sleeping enough, exercising regularly, drinking water and avoiding alcohol, drugs and caffeine. It also means doing things that make you happy, relaxed and fulfilled, such as hobbies, meditation, yoga, reading, music, nature, spending time with loved ones, etc. Find a balance between work and life that suits you and stick to it.

5 Rediscover your passion

Burnout can make you lose sight of why you chose to work in the hospitality industry in the first place. To reignite your passion, you need to reconnect with your values, goals and purpose. Remind yourself of what you love about your job, what skills you have, what impact you make and what opportunities you have. Seek feedback and recognition from your manager, co-workers and customers. Celebrate your achievements and learn from your challenges. Explore new ways to grow and develop your career.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?