7 WAYS TO AVOID BURNOUT
Kathy Mann’s fascinating book, Avoiding Burnout, outlines seven principles for self-care in these stressful times. Here the former accountant shares the strategies she developed to help her cope with her own burnout.
Strategies for taking care of yourself during stressful times
1 KNOW YOURSELF Happiness is linked to using your strengths regularly, so align them with your work as much as possible. Use online assessments or the results of psychometric tests to determine what makes you unique, and make them part of your life, including work. Finding flow, the experience of losing yourself in an activity, also raises your happiness levels.
2 EXPLORE YOUR CREATIVE SIDE
Research shows that creativity heals. Create a sanctuary in your home where you can make things: experiment with colouring in, drawing or painting. Give yourself permission to relax and to have some fun.
3 PRIORITISE SELF-CARE
Self-care goes beyond grooming, but it’s a good place to start. If you tend to neglect your needs, start by doing something small, even if it’s as simple as a home pedicure. Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark and peaceful, and use apps and reminders to help you get eight hours of sleep. ADDRESS ‘ENERGY VAMPIRES’ AND OBLIGATIONS We all have at least one ‘energy vampire’ in our lives: that person who’s exhausting to be around, who drains the life and joy out of any room. Actively spend more time with those who build you up and less with those who drag you down. Be clear to friends and loved ones about what you need and expect from them. Forgiveness has several health benefits and can lighten the burden of holding on to past hurts.
5 BE TRUE TO YOURSELF
Listen to the way you speak to yourself. Is it kind? Align your thoughts with your words, your actions and your integrity. Doing something you feel is wrong creates stress. Ask for help in a finite way so that your loved ones can deliver. 6 LOSE THE GUILT Motherhood is hard. Guilt and shame seem to be built-in features of being a mother. Forgive yourself for not being perfect, and give yourself some credit for all that you do. Feeling guilty doesn’t serve you or your children. Researchers such as psychotherapist Dr Elaine Beaumont have linked high levels of self-compassion to low levels of stress. If you’re struggling, self-compassion researcher, author and teacher Dr Kristin Neff offers exercises on her website (www.self-compassion. com) to develop this skill. 7 FIND MEANING Avoiding burnout doesn’t necessarily mean changing jobs. We can find meaning through our recreation and hobbies. Many find great fulfilment in volunteering, and others are of service to humanity in other ways. Find ways to use your strengths and talents to bring knowledge or support to those who need it. A stressful work week is much easier to endure when you’re excited about what you’re doing at the weekend.