Beat Burnout: Simple Steps to Boost Your Well-Being!

Burnout can sneak up on us, stealing our energy and joy until we’re left feeling drained, cynical, and doubting our own worth. 

For female entrepreneurs and mom bosses, juggling it all often feels overwhelming, leaving hardly any time for ourselves. 

It's crucial to spot the early signs of burnout and tackle them head-on to keep your productivity and well-being intact.

According to the World Health Organization, burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It's characterized by feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance from one's job, and reduced professional efficacy. 

This isn't merely fatigue from a busy day; it's a deep-seated issue that affects every facet of your life.

Burnout manifests in various ways:

Mental: It will take a toll on your mental health, affecting the way you process, think things through, even causing you to question what you’re doing.

Physical: Exhaustion, which can lead to other health ailments - headaches, illness, insomnia, irritability.

Behavioral: Struggling to concentrate on anything meaningful, becoming forgetful, finding it hard to focus or complete tasks - much less find work fun or exciting

Emotional: Being impatient, depressed, having high anxiety (though these can be caused by other things as well)

(note: please seek advice from a medical professional (I’m not one!) if you think you’re suffering from burnout.  These can be signs of burnout and also other things as well.  Seek help from a qualified medical professional to properly diagnose anything going on with you).

Here are some tips for addressing burnout:

Prioritize Yourself: Ensure you're getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, exercising regularly, and taking frequent breaks. Incorporate relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or journaling into your routine.

Connection & Community: Seek support from friends, family, medical professionals, and/or coworkers. Spend quality time with loved ones, whether it’s taking a walk with a friend or enjoying a book together.

Creative Solutions: If your job or workplace is causing burnout, consider making changes. Discuss your concerns with your boss, explore different roles, or seek new opportunities.

As Always, Boundaries: Define clear personal and professional limits so others know your needs and expectations - and then stick to them!

Daily Mindfulness: Use mindfulness techniques to manage stress more effectively.