Assume Control
Okay. I think we now realize almost all of us have some degree of burnout in our work lives. We realize it’s dangerous. We know we should exercise a little more and eat a little better. How can we then take steps to lower the root causes of burnout—our work lives?
It’s not easy. An online help guide offers ideas. Begin with a few quick and easy semi-fixes. They don’t solve the problem by themselves, but they do help:
Take breaks from technology. Set a time to check emails, and schedule times when you don’t check emails. The world won’t come crashing to a halt.
Set boundaries. That’s hard for a business owner to do, begin by not owning every employee’s problems in life. When you can help, do so. Then let it go.
Include time for relaxation in every day.
Nurture your creativity. Develop a pastime.
These little tweaks to your life will add up. They are a starting point, so don’t stop and think your heart is now ready for the Boston Marathon. Therapists talk about cognitive reframing, emotional labeling, time management, fitness and nutrition…all good things…but what can you do? Now? Without a professional and without breaking the bank?
Begin by identifying when stress is mounting. What are the triggers? Then take just a few moments for some intentional breathing. When you take charge of your breathing, you interrupt your brain’s involuntary response to stress…thus eliminating the drain of cortisol, reducing chronic inflammation, eliminating further heart disease. I know it sounds simple, but isn’t simple better?
Just take five. Begin with a couple deep cleansing breaths. Then lower your respiratory rate to six per minute with slow steady breaths, each ten seconds long. Just a few minutes changes your outlook and improves heart health in the long run.
Start journaling. Put ten minutes into the end or beginning of your day with pen and paper in hand. Write down your goals, your stream of consciousness, what went well, what irks you, issues and ideas. Just clear your head.
Talk with colleagues. Engage in dialogue with other Chamber members about how they deal with issues you find challenging. Find solutions from other disciplines. No one knows exactly what you’re going through, but trouble is trouble and we all know that! Sometimes just sharing is helpful. But when you pick up an idea that will reduce the weight on your shoulders, that’s gold!
Burnout comes from all that stress we carry around and let’s drop some of it before the holidays hit us right between the eyes. Now is the time to increase your satisfaction with life and stop burnout in its tracks. No, we can’t control rising costs, delivery delays, marketing woes world peace…but we can take individual steps to healthier lives. Let’s control what we can.