How To Bounce Back after a Burn-Out?

What is burnout?

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It is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion. It can occur in different types of situations, professional and personal. If you are experiencing a mental block or extreme long-term exhaustion in your job or if you are feeling dissatisfied with your results, you may be burnt out. This feeling leaves you with less interest in your job, you might be feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work. You might indulge in escapist behavior. In certain extreme situations, you might experience physical symptoms like palpitations, sleeplessness et cetera. 

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Recovering from burnout is not an easy process, it takes time and effort. You need considerable time and space to recover. Here are some tips which may help you heal:

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1. Identify the Cause

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It is important to understand the cause behind burnout so that you do not repeat the same behavior. The feeling of helplessness or resentment that you feel towards your work usually has a reason or at times, multiple related reasons. 

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Take out time to consciously think about what part of your job or personal life is causing you to go through this. It could be anything, the workload or the late timings. Once you identify the cause, you can begin to come up with a solution.

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2. Avoid Comparison

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Naturally, we compare ourselves to our peers. Healthy competition can promote productivity and creativity, however, if this turns toxic, it can lead to low self-esteem and confidence. Comparing our progress with others can lead to unhealthy habits like arbitrary goal setting. You feel inadequate and this leads to low interest in your work. Remember that everyone is moving at their own pace. 

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3. Re-evaluate your Expectations

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Similar to the previous point, you need to realize that it is a process. Your expectations need to be real and according to your capabilities. If you feel that taking on more projects and working on strict deadlines is harming your personal life, then maybe you need to slow down. It is good to challenge yourself but not to an extent where it has adverse effects. 

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4. Focus on Yourself

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Focusing on yourself includes the basics. It includes eating well and building a healthy diet. It includes exercising and connecting with your body through mindfulness. It includes a healthy sleep cycle as well. We tend to forget our basic bodily needs and often, push our bodies beyond their physical capabilities. The physical and mental benefits of taking care of your body are immense. This also involves pursuing your hobbies. It is important to cherish and fully enjoy your downtime without stressing about work. Take a much-deserved vacation with family or friends. 

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5. Reassess your Goals

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Burnout can occur when you lose track of your goals. This can lead to frustration and lack of interest. In such a situation, try to remember what made you excited to join your field in the first place. Tie your personal values to your job and build a positive relationship with your job. Your approach towards anything defines your personal and professional growth. 

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Stress and negative thinking can affect your productivity and quality of work. It is advisable to try and maintain a more positive approach towards whatever you take up. Don't give up and work towards your goals!

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