Chloe's Mindful Minute Monday
No matter your age, occupation, or life stage, a person can wake up with stress - moments in time where there seems to be a lack of peace and quiet.
Every Monday, an area of mental health will be addressed, and accessible at-home practices will be suggested. These aren’t hundred-dollar pieces of equipment, nor will they require hours upon hours commitment. They will require you to allow yourself five to 10 minutes a day to claim as your own.
Today, we’re tackling burnout. Maybe you are a student who is still adjusting to being back in school, a parent transitioning back into the office, or a professional coming to terms with a career taking more than it gives. No matter the why, burnout is caused when a situation, place, or thing zaps your mental and emotional capacity. Common signs of burnout include loss of motivation, decreased satisfaction and sense of accomplishment, failure and self-doubt. Burnout can also express itself in forgetfulness, agitation, and insomnia.
The most straightforward answer would be to leave the situation, but that isn’t always realistic. People rely on employment, education, and their families. The following suggestions are ways to help combat burnout in whatever realm of your life you’re experiencing it. Hopefully, they’ll help you overcome it.
Setting boundaries - This includes turning email alerts off after you leave the office, setting schedules for days you do schoolwork and only doing that work in a particular area to avoid total takeover of your personal space, and learning to say no to tasks you cannot complete. Setting boundaries also means asking for help when you need it.
Putting your needs first - It may sound like a daunting task, but this means taking those five extra minutes in the shower to enjoy quiet times. It means taking your lunch break and going for a walk, and it is also allowing yourself enough time to sleep. Keeping yourself busy and giving to others does no one any good if you’re not well-rested and able to give yourself your best effort.
Talk with someone - This is the easiest way to help combat burnout. Having someone you trust as an outlet where you can unload these heavy emotions and mentally tolling environments is vital. Having a community means calling on them when times are rough.
Just as you would with your physical health, I encourage you to take time each day to evaluate your mental health and know that you aren’t alone. Next Monday, we’ll discuss four popular meditation practices and why they work!
