Most of us experience this at some point in our career. Also referred to as job burnout, career burnout is largely a psychological condition where the affected individualexperiences loss of personal identity and reduced sense of accomplishment. Some common symptoms of career burnout include feeling tired all the time, lack of interest in everyday tasks, being irritable, difficulty in concentrating, feeling disillusioned, lack of sleep, etc.
The exact cause of career burnout hasn’t been identified, but some experts say that it could be linked to depression. It can also arise due to other reasons such as high expectations from the job, work life imbalance, increased workload, and lack of social support. Career burnout can adversely affect our professional life, which is why we need to take steps to overcome it. Here are some tips and suggestions that can help you avoid career burnout.
Weekend getaways: This is a great way to recharge your mind and body. Make sure you utilize your weekends in an active manner rather than sitting at home watching movies and videos and eating junk food. Exploring the great outdoors is very effective in dealing with a wide variety of mental health issues.
Vacation: Sometimes, weekends are not enough and you need a much longer break. So don’t hesitate and take a couple of weeks leave from work to visit an exotic destination. The fresh air and panoramic scenery of the countryside will surely help you get over your career burnout.
Exercise: It has been revealed in several studies that people who exercise regularly are less prone to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Exercise releases mood boosting hormone known as endorphins, which improve our sense of general wellbeing.
Healthy food: Your career burnout may also be linked to over reliance on junk food. These are tasty, but lack vital nutrients needed by the body. Eating healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lentils, nuts, seeds, etc. can significantly improve your energy levels all throughout the day.
Relationships: Make sure you have someone you can talk to about everything that you may have in mind. When you share your thoughts with others, it releases pent-up emotions and gives you mental clarity. People living isolated lives are more prone to mental health issues.
It is important that you focus on the present and not think about the past or future. Practice being in the moment and gradually you will start to enjoy your job and your everyday tasks. This will keep stress, anxiety and depression at bay and help you avoid the possibility of career burnout.