Simple Self Care Practices to Help Avoid Burnout

With the increasing responsibilities of daily living, it’s no wonder that two-thirds of all adults in America are experiencing burnout.

People are working more and more hours, and work expectations are increasing. Both of these factors contribute to the overwhelming stress and exhaustion that leads to burnout.

Over time, burnout can lead to fatigue and loss of motivation. It can eventually result in feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, and once you have reached this point, burnout becomes even more difficult to overcome.

Despite the ever-increasing demands of modern-day life, burnout is avoidable if you follow the right steps. Implementing a great self-care routine can reduce stress and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.

Here are some top self-care practices to help you avoid burnout.

Schedule Time for Self-Care

Even if your calendar is jam-packed, there is always some time that you can spare for some self-care.

Take a close look at your calendar to determine when you have spare time. If you struggle to find a block of time to dedicate to self-care, you might need to shuffle things around.

You don’t need to set aside hours every day. Just a quick 10-15 minutes is often enough to complete some great self-care activities. For example, self-care can involve cooking, arts and crafts, meditation, or taking a candle-lit bath.

Have Some Peace and Quiet

Often, burnout is associated with feeling overstimulated. Spending some time in a quiet and calming area can lower your stress levels and help you feel calmer.

Heading out for a long walk in nature or doing some yoga in the comfort of your own home are great options. You will immediately feel rejuvenated and re-energized.

Don’t Be Afraid to Say No

Burnout is exacerbated when you constantly take on new responsibilities. If your friends and family constantly ask for favors or your manager always wants you to stay late at work, you can easily get overwhelmed.

It’s easier said than done but try not to take on too much. If someone asks you to do something but you know that it will cause you unnecessary stress, say no! Don’t feel pressured into saying yes to everything just because you’re scared to let people down.

Self-Reflect Often

Practice self-reflection every day to recognize how you’re feeling and to assess your schedule. You can use this self-reflection time to assess whether or not you’re taking on too much.

You can also set regular alarms on your phone each day to remind you to perform a self-check-in or to do a certain self-care activity. For example, set the alarm on your phone to remind you to check your posture, drink some water, or do some stretches.