Coping Strategies
If you think you are suffering from burnout, create a plan to nurse yourself back to health. The following lists contain steps you can take to get rest and relief from the constant stress that results in burnout.
At work:
• Take it slower, take breaks from work. Leave work a little earlier.
• Don’t strive for perfection, but for “good enough.”
• Use support services effectively and delegate when possible.
• Try to keep to a regular schedule, and don’t be constantly available to clients.
• Don’t take work home with you.
• Reduce your commuting time and leave the driving to others by taking public transportation when possible. This also has the positive affect of reducing air pollution.
• Take regular vacations from work. Long weekends once a quarter are good ways to avoid burnout without taking off long stretches of time. Don’t take work with you or check voice mail messages or e-mail when you are away.
• If you are unhappy with your job, determine what changes are needed and develop an action plan.
• Connect with nature daily- take a walk; eat your lunch outside in nice weather.
At home:
• Try to get 8 hours of sleep a night. We are a sleep-deprived society and this lack of sleep contributes to accidents, low productivity and mistakes.
• Get help with chores. Hire a housekeeper and someone to do yard work.
• Don’t be a perfectionist who strives for the Martha Stewart/Better Homes and Gardens look. You don’t have to be a gourmet cook and live in a designer showplace to be happy.
• Organize your household so the burdens are spread around.
• Eat healthy – three small meals every day, including fruits and vegetables, and healthy snacks. Drink planty of water. Eliminate or reduce your caffeine intake.
• Exercise regularly- aerobic exercise is a great stress release.
• Get help with childcare.
• Practice simple living techniques.
• Live under your means.
• Pay off your debt.
• Reduce your tendency toward consumerism. Buy only what your need or cannot live without. This will reduce trips to the store and save you money.
• Meditate.
• Practice yoga or other relaxation techniques.
• Listen to relaxation tapes.
• Play with your children and pets. They tend to center us and get us in touch with what’s important in life.
• Keep a journal.
• Listen to music. Spend no more than one hour a day watching TV or surfing the internet.
• Massages are also great ways to relax.
• Take Hot Baths with lavender essential oil.
• Practice your faith/pray.
JUL
About the Author:
Deborah Brown (Debbie) founded Atlanta based D&B Consulting, Inc. in 1993 to provide executive career and leadership coaching, and executive career transitions and outplacement services to organizations and individuals. She is a Master Practitioner of the MBTI personality assessment and a Certified Social + Emotional Intelligence Coach® through the Institute of Social + Emotional Intelligence® of Denver, Colorado. Debbie earned the SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) certification.