Five ways to avoid a total burn-out at work
Many of us thrive in challenging roles - chasing specific goals and juggling numerous tasks at once - but even the biggest workaholic can end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed with work.
Switching off can be hard, but our bodies can only keep going at a stressed-out pace for a certain amount of time before it eventually burns out. This will leave you ill, too exhausted to function and possibly unable to carry out even the smallest of tasks.
In order to avoid working yourself to this state, it is important to recognise when to take a break from your workload and recharge your batteries before tackling the to-do list once again. Below are some simple steps to doing so:
Sleep
No matter how stressed or busy you are - always try and make time to sleep. Getting regular shut-eye is essential for calming, reenergising and for allowing the body and brain to repair itself. This can help to prevent illnesses and will help you to perform more efficiently in the work place.
Let your hair down
Putting time aside for hobbies, socialising and generally having fun during the working week can greatly benefit your health and well-being. You can enjoy some relaxation and dedicate some time to yourself - both of which can be lost in a busy working environment.
Don't isolate yourself
For those who work from home, it can become very easy to lock yourself away from other people for too long as you battle to meet deadlines. Your stress can greatly affect those that you live with, so it is important that you get out of the house and make time during the day to see other people. This will clear your mind and give you something else to concentrate on other than work.
Eat healthily
Stress can affect our diets - either making us want to eat more or leading us to completely forget about food altogether. Maintaining healthy eating during a particularly stressful period at work is important for stabilising energy levels and keeping the immune system in good condition. This will prevent the onset of any illnesses that could contribute to a burn-out.
Complementary therapies
Taking time out to relax and soothe your body and mind is crucial for tackling work-related stress and for keeping your health and well-being in good shape. Complementary therapies such as reflexology, acupuncture, massage and herbalism are considered beneficial for helping to promote deep relaxation and stimulate the body's self-healing qualities.
To find out more about how complementary therapies can help bring calm and revitalisation to a busy working lifestyle, please see our therapy topics page.
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