Sayli has completed her Master’s in Psychology and has been working in the field for close to 5 years. She has also trained in queer affirmative practices. She believes that therapy should be accessible to all and works towards the same.
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands.
There can be many reasons why you may be experiencing a burnout. But one of the major causes of a burnout is when you don’t give yourself time off work. We work in a system where we cannot afford to take really long breaks at a stretch. Hence, taking breaks in between becomes essential.
Sayli shares 6 tips to prevent a burnout.
Practice self-care
As a healthcare worker, your primary job is to provide care to your patients. But, in that process, we often forget to take care of ourselves, which can eventually lead to burnout. Hence, the first step is to give yourself the time your mind and body needs. Set and respect work boundaries and spend some time of the day just with yourself. Use that time to engage in mindful activities, cook, paint, listen to music or practice any other hobbies.
Take regular breaks
During the entire day, take regular breaks where you’re not working. It could be a lunch break or a tea break. Secondly, working on all days of the month can also be exhausting. Make sure you take at least 2-4 days off and spend that time with yourself and your people.
Acknowledge your work
Attending so many patients every day can be tiring. But, at the end of the day, if you acknowledge your efforts and remind yourself what made you satisfied, it can help with not feeling as exhausted. Expressing gratitude can keep you motivated.
Have a space to vent
Instead of suffering alone, talk to other colleagues and share your thoughts with them. Having understanding people around you who give you the space to share your problems is crucial.
Have a post-work ritual
Having a post-work routine such as cleaning your desk, taking a shower or going for a walk can help you acknowledge that work is over. You can keep work aside and use the remaining time for yourself.
Go to therapy
Many times we associate therapy with only personal problems. However, if work often makes you feel fatigued and drained out, talking to a therapist to understand how it affects you can help.
