Burnout- How To Avoid and How To Stay Motivated

January 31, 2022 | by Tess

With the continuous stressful lifestyle many people live, burnout is a very common feeling. In a Times Magazine survey that polled around 65,000 North American employees, 42% of women and 35% of men reported feeling burnt out. On top of this, multiple studies have correlated chronic illness with significant emotional distress, which is a factor that contributes to burnout.

Last winter, I was on the brink of facing burnout. I had a lot on my plate and could not balance my well-being with my commitments. I was unable to “recharge” and step away from what I was doing because when I would give myself a break I would still think about everything I had to do.

This was a sign of burnout. I could not take proper breaks and could not manage all I had to do on top of managing chronic pain. It was a recipe for disaster, and it took time to learn about myself and the tools I need to use to manage my pain while having a lot on my plate.

I have learned how to avoid burnout and what habits I need to implement in my life to stay motivated. Here are four habits I use to avoid burnout and stay motivated;

1. Reflect/Journal once a week:

I make it a goal to journal at least once a week to check in with myself and remind myself of habits I should do to balance my life. My favorite is the 5-minute journal. You write twice a day (once in the morning and once in the night) and it is a quick and efficient way to check in with yourself every day!

2. Spend at least 30 minutes a day doing something you love:

I love exercising, reading, and cooking, all of which take my mind off of commitments and give me a break to recharge.

3. When you have a deadline or assignment, make a plan so you avoid procrastinating:

When I have midterms, finals, or any big deadline, I am always less stressed when I make an attainable plan to do a little work every day to reach my goal.

4. Take breaks:

I learned that trying to do work for 4 hours straight is not possible. Instead, I focus for 30-45 minutes and take 10-minute breaks so I can keep my stamina and regain energy.