This article was originally published in July of 2020. While the COVID pandemic may be officially over and we can now view the illness akin to the common cold, the stress, insomnia, anxiety, and depression we felt was and is real. The pandemic pushed many beyond their ability to cope. Many coped in unhealthy ways and are still feeling the affects today. April is stress awareness month and we are resharing this article as a resource to help continue our recovery. If you need additional help navigating your way back from COVID stress or any stress, please see this Mayo Clinic article.
It’s official – we’re halfway through 2020. There’s no denying that this year has presented and heightened stress for everyone in different ways. With the sudden shift to remote work and juggling at home responsibilities, it’s no surprise that the possibility of experiencing burnout has become much higher. According to a recent Monster.com survey, 51% of workers said they’ve experienced burnout related to working from home due to COVID-19.
What is burnout? According to the World Health Organization, burnout refers to; feelings of energy depletion on the job, increased mental distance from your job or reduced professional efficiency. It can occur especially when one experiences elevated stress over a long period of time.
So… how do we avoid this, and make the second half of this year as stress-free as possible? Here are our some of our top tips.
Take Care of Yourself
The number one way to prevent stress from destroying your health is to take care of your body. The impacts of burnout such as excessive exhaustion, detachment, or irritability are signs that you’re putting too many demands on your physical limits. Exercising, eating a balanced diet, and getting good sleep can have profound impacts on your functionality, mood, and productivity. Make yourself a priority by putting these universal core needs FIRST!
Create a Schedule
If you’re not doing so already, set some boundaries within your day. Selecting specific times in your day to take a break, eat lunch, or go for a walk can be great ways to remind yourself to stop and slow down. Breaks are important! If you have kids at home, identify and coordinate the times in your day that work best for you to take that Zoom call, or finish that important project. Finding a rhythm that works with you and your family is crucial for staying on track while also avoiding stress.
Work With Purpose
Rediscovering purpose in your position can be extremely valuable. Take some space to ask yourself some important questions. How does your job better other people? How are you making a difference, and helping your company achieve greater goals? How can you add more meaning to what you do every day? Spending time thinking about your purpose, both personal and professional, is a habit you’ll thank yourself for creating.
Establish Control
Creating more autonomy in your role can be a great way to overcome or avoid burnout. Maybe now is a good time to talk to your supervisor about taking on a new project that excites you. Maybe you need to create more deadlines for your obligations. You can also gain more control by working on your time management, prioritization, and goal setting. Start finding ways to set yourself up to reach accomplishments!
Look for Outlets
Another huge aspect of our physical health and happiness can be attributed to fostering personal fulfillment. What activities fill you up? This is different for everyone, and largely dependent on your personality. If you’re more of an extrovert, maybe meeting with a friend for coffee or making plans with your family (all in socially distant fashion, of course) would be a positive personal outlet. Someone more introverted may benefit from starting to journal, finding a great book to get lost in, or even meditating. Hey, now could be a great time to pick up a new hobby!
What are your tips for coping with stress? Let us know on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter!