Avoiding Burnout and Simple Relaxation Techniques

It can be daunting to comprehend the concept of burnout until you experience it yourself. After years of feeling like I was constantly giving with little in return, I knew my body and soul were collectively screaming for a break. Battling inner conflict, I decided to take time away from my demanding practice. During this recovery period, I allowed myself the much-needed space to reflect on who I am and where I need to go. Instead of a mountain looming ahead, waiting for me tirelessly to ascend it, a recharged version of me set out on her journey with a newfound clarity of the path. For everyone enduring burnout or yet to experience it—know that nothing is more valid or valuable than taking a step back when your inner pulse says now is the time.

If you are already seeing the symptoms of burnout or feel like you are on the way to one, here are some things you can do to bring back some balance in your life.

• Start your day with a short meditation or anything that puts you in a relaxed state of mind. Avoid jumping into work-related matters first thing in the morning but give yourself time to ease into the day. Listen to music or read. Enjoy the morning - even half an hour each day is enough.
• Get organized. One of the reasons people end up getting burnt out is that they spread themselves too thin daily. If you manage your tasks better, you will be able to see clearly what needs to be prioritized and what can be put off until tomorrow or entirely from your list. Remember to set aside some personal time throughout the day, whether it be an hour or two of relaxing; you need this for your sanity.
• Nourish your creativity or pick up a new hobby. Put down your phone, iPad, and laptop. Those things would not require distraction and can make you feel burnt out. Detaching yourself from these things is essential, but you would also want to keep your mind busy. For this purpose, pick up a new relaxing hobby. Small-space gardening is highly recommended, as is scrapbooking, as it makes you use your hands.
• Take some time off and get out of the city. You should take more drastic actions and some time off in dire situations. This would not only help you clear your head, but it would also enable you to leave the burdens that have been weighing you down behind. You can use this time to re-assess your situation and your own happiness level in the kind of life you are currently leading. If you are constantly stressed, and on the brink of a burn out, bigger changes need to happen.
• Get some support. Share your feelings and be open to the advice that your friends, as well as loved ones give you. They may not be able to completely transform and fix your problems, but trust us when we say that simply having a shoulder to lean on when you are feeling very low energy and mentally is more than enough to help you get back on your feet. Not only is it comforting, it also helps in lowering anxiety and stress levels. So, the next time you feel close to the edge of a burn out, call a close friend and let them know. You might be surprised at how much this simple action can help you.

Relaxation Techniques You Can Do At Home and Work

Feeling the tension in your muscles? Can't focus on your work because of the pressure and stress? Try these simple yoga relaxation techniques to find your center once more.

1. Find a spot in your home or at work where you have enough space to stress your arms up and to the sides.
2. Sit comfortably and keep your posture straight. Place one of your hands on your chest and the other, on your stomach.
3. Slowly inhale through your nose while keeping your eyes closed. Exhale through your mouth as you begin to count slowly. Repeat this process until you feel the tension melt away.

You can take your meditation to the next level at home, where you have more space and privacy. This is something you can do during the mornings or at night before bed.

1. Again, find a spot in your home where you feel comfortable in. Set up your yoga mat here and a few aromatherapy products and music. These might seem like small details, but they can certainly change the ambiance by a great deal.
2. Make sure you put on comfortable clothing as well, so you will be able to stretch without any hassle.
3. Begin with simple breathing exercises while you empty your mind of anything that might be troubling you. Counting helps with this, especially if you are new to meditation. It might be difficult to tune out outside noise, but try and focus on a single thing and let that take over your thoughts. Make sure it is a good thing!
4. Loosen up tense muscles by slowly stretching your arms upward. Breathe in and out slowly while you do this.??
5. Roll your shoulders gently too and repeat this until you feel the tension leave your body.?
6. Repeat all of the above a few times and for at least half an hour to an hour each day. Not only will it help you bring in more positive energy and lower your stress levels, it can also help you sleep better at night.

So, there you have it, just a few of the simple relaxation techniques that you can try whenever you feel as if the stress of your work and everyday life is getting the best of you. Remember that there are many different ways through which you can take control and manage everything. You can always restore balance in your life if you want to. All you need to do is take the first few steps, and be consistent in your pursuit of living a healthier lifestyle.