Holiday Burnout

Holiday Burnout

Have you ever found yourself in a position where you feel like you’re just going through the motions at work? Work never seems to end and you’re putting your personal life on the back burner? Perhaps you’ve noticed that you’ve been more irritable or you’re having trouble focusing on work. These are all classic signs of burnout. During the holidays the combination or normal work life balance can be disrupted by the additional stress of planning for the holiday season, holiday shopping or preparing meals for family. Some people may have had traumatic experiences at holidays and have the additional emotions when the holidays approach. This can result in anxiety, depression, and burnout.?

What is Burnout??

According to the World Health Organization burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic work-related stress, with symptoms characterized by "feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and reduced professional efficacy”. So, what does that actually mean? It means that you have a lot of stress at work and need a way to cope with it so you can reduce stress and improve both your personal well-being and become more effective at work.?

Ok so what are the signs of Burnout??

There are number of different signs that you may be experiencing burnout. Here are a few of the most common signs that you are suffering from burnout:

  • You know you need to work hard, but you find it hard to put in any effort at all. The will to do the things you need to do is much weaker than normal.?
  • Normally you may be happy and upbeat, but when you are experiencing burnout, your emotions may feel a little off. Perhaps you are feeling blunted or numb. Things that don’t normally irritate you are a great annoyance. You may feel that you have a mountain of work to complete but are helpless to complete it and this can result in overwhelming anxiety that can bring you to a halt.?
  • You may also find that when you are engaged in a project at work that you struggle to concentrate. This can have negative impact on your overall performance and can add to the anxiety you are already feeling or a complete lack of concentration?
  • The signs of burnout can be physical too. You may find you are having trouble sleeping or your sleep schedule has become irregular. Or to cope with your anxiety you may find yourself stress eating or skipping your normal exercise routines. This can snowball into bigger problems for your health?

I think I may have burnout! What do I do?!?

The good news is that you can overcome burnout! With a few simple actions and routines, you can pull yourself out of the doldrums and be back to your old self in no time! Here are some of my favorite techniques for getting over burnout:

  • Remember to put yourself first! Make sure that you are setting aside enough time to get the sleep and exercise you need. You might feel like you must forgo these things to get everything done. You couldn’t be more wrong. Without proper sleep and exercise you’ll find yourself slowing down, feeling groggy, working less effectively, and struggling in your personal relationships. Proper sleep and exercise are fundamental to having a healthy mindset.?
  • Sometimes when you are facing stress a change of surroundings can alter your mental state. Instead of completing that report at your normal desk, perhaps you work from a coffee shop, or try a new space. The change in location can help you feel refreshed and energized to take on new challenges.?
  • It’s easy to find yourself stuck in a rut when you have the same routine over and over. Occasionally find ways to add variety, whether that’s working from a new location, trying new best practices, or taking time for personal investment.?
  • Speaking of personal investment, make sure that you are balancing your work and personal life. Find or make time to engage in your favorite hobbies or read a book. Reading a book is a great way to relax while also expanding your knowledge and capabilities. Perhaps you can use the skills you gain from reading or hobbies and apply them to work finding novel ways to take problems or improve efficiency.?
  • Finally, don’t forget to use your personal network. If you find yourself not connecting with your friends or family as much as you are used to, now is a good time to reach out and connect with those we care about most. If you’re feeling stress and anxiety allow yourself to be vulnerable and have a conversation with a friend or peer. You may find they’ve had similar experiences and can help you get back on the right track.?

When I encounter holiday burnout, one of the things that works for me

I put an hour on the calendar called “Wellness” time. For me it is a reminder that every day I give myself time to do something for me. Sometimes it is going to the gym, taking a walk, reading a book, or dedicated time to play with my dogs. Anything that makes you smile and takes away from the normal routine is something I call “Wellness’. It is important to do this when my phone/computer are not next to me for that hour. I use early mornings for this, yet you can schedule wellness anytime. One hour of 24 hours seems like an easy ask, yet what I have found is if you don’t plan it, it will not happen. This simple task of one hour can relieve Burnout and bring great joy and health to you.??

We all suffer from burnout from time to time. Hopefully you’re now better equipped to spot the signs of burnout and know how to react so you can back to being your best self. Thank you for reading this and Happy Holidays. Comment below on some of the best practices that works for you when encountering Burnout.??


?

Kevin McBride

Motivational Leader | Award Winning | Servant Leadership

3 年

Great article. Corporations and businesses also need to be held accountable for their people to ensure burnout isn’t happening. As much as corporations and businesses ask their people to be adaptable, the flip side of that coin needs to be that these corps and businesses need to be adaptable to their people’s needs. Obviously, this can’t happen in every sector of the business world, but it can happen in a lot of places, and these businesses drain the ever living life out of their people and America is in shock right now that their are labor shortages.. Employer abuse is a real thing.. it’s time to wake up and hold these companies accountable for the abuse and toll they put on their people.

回复
Lori Myckleby

CFE | Compliance | Risk | Fraud | Purpose Driven | Ethical Leadership | Transforming compliance risks into operational excellence

3 年

Thanks for sharing Tracy E. Nolan !

回复

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Tracy E. Nolan的更多文章

  • Embrace Challenging Journeys

    Embrace Challenging Journeys

    Two years ago, I took a bold leap, stepping into an industry that was new to me. After spending years in…

    26 条评论
  • The Power of Listening: Importance of Organizational Feedback

    The Power of Listening: Importance of Organizational Feedback

    A little over two weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting with all Directors and above in my organization. I am still…

    7 条评论
  • Tracy's Holiday Favorites

    Tracy's Holiday Favorites

    Growing up, we celebrated Christmas which included the tradition of going out the weekend after Thanksgiving to get our…

    7 条评论
  • Celebrating 1 Year at Humana: Reflections on Embarking In a New Industry

    Celebrating 1 Year at Humana: Reflections on Embarking In a New Industry

    It’s hard to believe that it’s been one year since I jumped into the healthcare industry with Humana. Over this last…

    29 条评论
  • Key Underpinnings of Building a Successful Team

    Key Underpinnings of Building a Successful Team

    As a sports fan (Go Lightning! Go Bills!), I often find myself examining the dynamics of teamwork, strategy…

    10 条评论
  • Women's History Month: Timeless Advice

    Women's History Month: Timeless Advice

    As we bring Women’s History Month to a close, I can’t help but reflect on my history as a woman in senior leadership…

    13 条评论
  • Career Journeys

    Career Journeys

    Almost all of us have arrived at the airport and began a journey that involves flying. For some it’s an easy and…

    14 条评论
  • Dream BIG and envision what's possible... InspiHER!

    Dream BIG and envision what's possible... InspiHER!

    I’m sure many of you can reflect back on moments where you were afforded an opportunity that ultimately helped shape…

    16 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了