The five things I do to avoid burnout

Reflecting on the past year, it’s been a whirlwind. Covid-19 swept the world, putting us all on the defensive for our health, our families and friends, our personal and professional lives. Among the business landscape, companies tried to keep up with the rapid pace of change, adapting as necessary, evolving business models – some did so successfully while others fought long, stressful battles.

We all worked harder than ever to ensure continuity and health of our organizations. We pivoted to an entirely virtual setting – a territory largely unfamiliar to many of us, particularly at that scale. For me, personally, I took a new role at KPMG about a year ago, an amazing opportunity to lead our Growth and Strategy organization. It has been a year full of learning, leading, and transitioning. The past 12 months were full of new opportunity, pushing myself to new limits and testing my own capacity to learn, grow and lead.

Hit the reset button

A few months ago, my family and I took a vacation, where I was able to rest and recharge, and as I walked along the coastline one afternoon it was in that moment that I realized just how badly I needed the reset. I spent quality time with my family and friends, mentally shifted to rest and relaxation, and it did wonders for me. When I returned to work the following Monday, I felt great – ready to tackle challenges with a fresh perspective and a clear mind.

Many people in the workforce faced burnout this year and it’s critically important to our mental health that we check in with ourselves, have an honest discussion about where we are emotionally, and take the means to give ourselves a break. Even Olympians need to have those honest discussions with themselves, as we recently saw Simone Biles exert the courage to take a break. Whether that means taking a day to let the energy of the ocean recharge you, taking an afternoon to curl up with a good book or meet up with friends or family to get in some good laughs and catching up – it’s about checking out mentally that’s the key. Over my career, I’ve found these few things to help me relax, recharge and avoid burnout when I’m feeling the pressure:

·??????Dance like nobody is watching (even if they are)! I love to dance and it helps me release tension. Whether it’s in the kitchen or on a dance floor, it doesn’t matter to me. It’s the movement that counts.

·??????Make time for quality time. I put my phone/computer away and make sure I’m spending real, quality time with my husband and son, our families and our friends. It can be anywhere – in the yard or at the pool but making sure I focus on this time together (and not my email!) makes a world of difference and strengthens our bond.?

·??????Prayer. I often take a few moments to pause, thank God for what I’ve been blessed with. This helps put life into perspective for me and appreciate everything even more.

·??????Take time off from work. This may mean taking a day off, a week, or even an hour to enjoy a long bike ride – but making sure you build in your vacation days is so important. Plan ahead and be sure to have your work covered so that you can be fully “off” when you’re out of the office. You earned the time, and you deserve it!

·??????Talk it out. I’ve found that talking through stress with someone close to you personally or professionally can go a long way and help you become grounded. Some organizations, like KPMG, offer assistance programs to aid in managing stress. It’s an incredibly helpful resource.

No matter which way you choose to recharge, it’s so important that you find what works for you. And, if you find yourself at a breaking point, please reach out to someone for help. Your health is the biggest priority and we all need to take a break sometimes! ?