How do you overcome burnout? Help and advice for self-care

Image credit @ Boo George for Vogue Singapore

I don’t know about you, but I’ve never felt busier! With each passing year, we all take on more and more. If you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and on the verge of burnout, you are not alone. Burnout can affect anyone, regardless of their profession or lifestyle, and can leave you feeling exhausted and your skin looking inflamed or dull. Here are some top tips for beating burnout.

How do you overcome burnout?

Recognize the signs of burnout
Prevention is always better than cure! It is essential to recognize the signs of burnout. Burnout is characterized by feelings of exhaustion or energy depletion, increased mental distance, and being less productive at home or at work. If you identify with these symptoms, it is time to take action and prevent the situation from getting worse.
Pause
It may seem obvious, but when the pressure is on, taking a break can seem impossible. If you think you’re headed toward burnout, it’s absolutely vital that you prioritize taking a break so you can recharge and tackle what needs to be done effectively. Thinking you’ll take a break once you’re done may be leaving it too late.
Find your antidotes
What is the opposite of burnout? Energy! Think about the activities that give you energy and incorporate more of them into your life. Maybe it’s spending time with loved ones, taking a long bath or going to bed early, or getting up early to exercise in the morning. Spending time on activities that give you joy and energy will help prevent burnout.
Consciousness
Take time for mindfulness. Self-care is non-negotiable if you want to prevent burnout. If you don’t know where to start, check out one of these mindfulness apps and follow the steps to improve your well-being.
Learn to say no
Sounds very simple, doesn’t it? But saying “no” when you’re a people pleaser or used to doing everything can be a real game-changer. You’ll never beat burnout if you don’t know how to set boundaries, so if you’re tired or stressed, say no to social events or extra work until you feel ready to say yes.
Get organized
When work piles up, it’s essential to take the time to organize and prioritize tasks. You may be more on top of things than you think, but you won’t be able to relieve your stress until you know exactly what you still need to do.
ask for help
If you only do one thing, do this! Trying to accomplish everything on your own will only lead to faster burnout. Telling just one person how you feel will ease some of the burden. Ask for help with the things you are struggling with, no matter how difficult it may seem.