Work stress got you feeling exhausted and down? Don’t think you can take another day? You’re certainly not alone. According to a 2022 study conducted by Asana, roughly 70% of workers experienced job burnout at some point during the last year.
Whether you feel like you’re on the verge of burning out or are already so exhausted by your job that you feel like you’ve got nothing more to give, we’re here to help.
Read on to learn tips for avoiding job burnout and ways you can work toward rebalancing yourself if burnout has already crept into your life.
Are You Burned Out at Work?
How do you know if burnout is knocking at your door – or has already busted it down?
Here are a few common signs that usually indicate impending or present burnout:
● You feel like nothing you do at work is appreciated.
● You feel like caring about your work or home life is a waste of your energy.
● Nearly every day feels like a bad day.
● You spend the majority of your day performing tasks that you feel are boring, overwhelming, or inconsequential.
● You feel hopeless, helpless, resentful, cynical, unmotivated, or exhausted with your work.
● You feel little, if any, satisfaction with your work and don’t feel a sense of accomplishment although you do get things done.
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. Rather, it creeps into your life gradually and will likely be subtle before it becomes overt.
As burnout sets in, you might simply notice you start feeling “off” but can’t put your finger on why.
If you’re experiencing any of the issues mentioned above, it’s time to take measures to avoid full-blown burnout. And if you feel like you're already there, it’s time to take steps to bust yourself out of the burnout rut and rebalance your mind and body.
4 Ways to Avoid & Beat Job Burnout
If you’re noticing some red flags that might indicate you’re getting burned out, here’s what you can do to avoid falling victim to a full-blown breakdown.
The following tips can also help you get out of a rut if you know you’re already burned out.
1. Practice Self Care
If you’re not already getting enough sleep, getting regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet, now is the time to start. And if you don’t currently have a stress-reduction practice, such as yoga, meditation, or hobbies you enjoy, consider carving out some room in your day to actively practice something that helps decrease your stress levels.
Taking the time to take good care of your physical and mental health can help you better manage burnout naturally.
Taking care of your work isn’t your whole life – make time to care for you, and chances are you’ll feel better all around.
2. Get Support
Having a strong social support system is essential for maintaining psychological health, so if you don’t already have a circle, it’s time to start finding ways to create one.
If you already have a support circle, ask if your friends and/or family (or your therapist, if you have one) would be willing to lend an ear to listen to your work-related concerns. Simply having someone to talk to can make all the difference when you’re struggling.
You may also want to consider joining a support group for people who are in a similar situation as you. Having people who understand what you’re going through can help you talk through the problem and develop new ideas for managing it.
3. Change Your Work Environment
If your work feels unbearably repetitive, consider working in a new location, if it’s possible for you to do so.
Creating a change of scenery can help disrupt feelings of monotony, and although your work tasks might not change, working in a different setting can make you feel more engaged and motivated.
Changing your environment can also help stimulate creativity, which will help prevent boredom – a common cause (and symptom) of burnout.
4. Shift Your Perspective
If you’re dealing with burnout, chances are you feel like your work is complete and total drudgery. If that’s true for you, it’s time to start shifting the way you perceive your job.
While your job might not be your ideal position, it’s still an opportunity for you to express your talents and skills. And if you want to avoid burning out or need to get yourself out of a slump, viewing your work as an opportunity to do your best is essential.
No matter what job you may have, chances are there’s going to be something you don’t particularly like about it. That’s true for everyone, and that’s totally okay.
Sometimes you’ll feel great, and other times, you might feel particularly stressed, but if you do your best to keep a positive mindset toward your work, your burned-out state can (and likely will) change for the better.
Not sure how to start changing your mindset? Check out our top tips for finding meaning and purpose in your job.
One Tech Staffing: Helping You Connect With Your Dream Job
If you’re burned out on your current job and are ready to explore new opportunities, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at One Tech Staffing in Minnesota. As a national recruiting firm, we connect qualified job seekers with opportunities in several industries, including engineering, utility services, construction, design, manufacturing, and more.
To get started or learn more about how we work, call us at 952-884-9199 or contact us online, and we’ll reach out with more information.