Keep burnout at bay

THE pace of life today is crazy. Many people juggle multiple responsibilities – work, home life, caregiving and relationships.

How many times have you felt like the demands, expectations and time pressure are relentless?

Humans are not programmed to go through life without rest, solitude or downtime. With everything going on, it is easy to get blindsided by stress and burnout.

Experts say it is important to be aware of symptoms and acknowledge when your responsibilities start to become too much to handle.

Here are some tips to prevent burnout. Firstly, ask yourself, “What is important now?” If you are driving, pay attention to the road. If you are having dinner with a friend, be engaged and present. Do not play with your phone as it is disrespectful.

Secondly, quantify the commitment. Before you agree to sit on a committee or host a dinner party, recognise that it means giving up time that cannot be replaced.

Anticipate that the time commitment probably will be longer than your initial estimate. Factor that into decisions about what is worth your time. Be willing to say “no”. Thirdly, make yourself unavailable.

It is OK and important to set aside time for yourself. Schedule it on your calendar and do not let other responsibilities encroach on that time. This may mean saying “no” to some requests.

Apart from these tips, it is also essential to maintain healthy habits such as getting sufficient sleep, eating healthy meals as well as exercising regularly to prevent burnout. — Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service