You’re feeling overwhelmed in your journalism career. How can you prevent burnout?

1 Set boundaries

One of the first steps to prevent burnout is to set clear and realistic boundaries for yourself and others. Boundaries are the limits you establish to protect your time, energy, and resources. For example, you can set boundaries by saying no to extra assignments, delegating tasks, turning off notifications, avoiding distractions, and scheduling breaks. Setting boundaries can help you avoid overcommitting, prioritize your tasks, and balance your work and personal life.

2 Manage your workload

Another way to prevent burnout is to manage your workload effectively. This means planning ahead, organizing your tasks, setting goals, and tracking your progress. You can use tools like calendars, to-do lists, project management software, and timers to help you stay on top of your deadlines and responsibilities. Managing your workload can help you reduce stress, improve your efficiency, and achieve your objectives.

3 Seek support

Journalism can be a lonely and isolating profession, especially if you work remotely or freelance. That’s why it’s important to seek support from your colleagues, peers, mentors, friends, and family. Support can come in different forms, such as feedback, advice, collaboration, encouragement, or empathy. You can seek support by joining professional networks, attending events, reaching out to mentors, or sharing your experiences with others. Seeking support can help you feel connected, valued, and understood.

4 Practice self-care

Self-care is the practice of taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional needs. It can help you cope with stress, boost your mood, and enhance your well-being. Self-care can include activities like exercise, meditation, hobbies, relaxation, or therapy. You can practice self-care by setting aside some time each day or week for yourself, doing something you enjoy, or seeking professional help if needed. Practicing self-care can help you recharge your batteries, improve your resilience, and prevent burnout.

5 Learn new skills

Journalism is a dynamic and evolving field that requires constant learning and adaptation. You may face new challenges, opportunities, or technologies that demand new skills or knowledge. Learning new skills can help you prevent burnout by keeping you engaged, motivated, and curious. You can learn new skills by taking courses, reading books, watching videos, or experimenting with new tools. Learning new skills can help you expand your horizons, increase your confidence, and advance your career.

6 Celebrate your achievements

Journalism can be a rewarding career, but it can also be a thankless one. You may not always receive recognition, appreciation, or feedback for your work. That’s why it’s important to celebrate your achievements, big or small. Celebrating your achievements can help you prevent burnout by acknowledging your efforts, progress, and impact. You can celebrate your achievements by rewarding yourself, sharing your success, or reflecting on your accomplishments. Celebrating your achievements can help you boost your morale, satisfaction, and pride.

7 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?