Don’t overdo it.
First coined in the 1970s by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger, burnout is possibly one of the most widely experienced psychological conditions among U.S. adults. According to recent data, nearly 52% of the adult population experiences burnout. The condition, characterized as perpetual and consistent mental and emotional exhaustion, can be debilitating. If you’re suffering from it, you may experience illness regularly and an inability to focus or have frequent thoughts of escaping accompanied by irritability –– or any combination of these.
Since being productive is glamorized as a way to climb the corporate ladder and make more money, most people usually won’t realize they’re burning out until they’re in the throes of it: facing cognitive blockages and illness that prevents them from working.
Before you reach that point, focus on preventing burnout by prioritizing yourself, your health, and things you enjoy.
The key to avoiding burnout –– which is more expensive than the income you earned getting to that point –– is to build a balanced life. Don’t put personal and relational goals on the back burner while you’re trying to reach some professional goal. Don’t neglect your eating and sleeping habits because your bank balance is on the rise.
The best way to prevent burnout is to increase the amount of self-care you do as you increase the amount of work you’re doing.