Stress at work is nothing new, particularly for women who believe they must work harder than men to succeed. In addition, whether taking care of children or aging parents, they frequently bear the whole weight of familial obligations. Therefore, it is no surprise that women are twice as likely as males to suffer from severe stress and anxiety, according to the study.
Over the past few years, there has been an increase in burnout cases, which has led to the rise in voluntary resignations, an emphasis on “silent resigning,” and a need for more work-life balance employment perks. By taking the required actions, entrepreneurial burnout can be avoided. Fortunately, there are a few strategies for preventing burnout and maintaining a reasonable, if not downright joyful, work life.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Healthy eating, getting enough sleep, and drinking enough water are among the first things put on hold when stressed. We continue to give our bodies the nutrition, exercise, and other essentials they require. Instead, we rush from one meeting or project to the next.
Our bodies eventually run out of energy, which causes productivity and focus on declining. At that point, we could start to feel the effects of burnout. These can appear physically, such as through cramps, inflammation, and stress headaches, or emotionally, such as impatience, exhaustion, and insomnia. We become trapped in a risky loop that might worsen our health conditions and sap our willpower to change our lives.
Maintaining a regular schedule of staying hydrated, eating the right foods, exercising, and getting enough rest is crucial, even during the busiest periods. We must intentionally include these in our day and treat them as non-negotiable events since, when schedules are busy, it may seem impossible for them to happen.
2.Cut out pointless meetings
Most individuals would concur that most meetings could be converted into emails, saving time, energy, and interruptions. Examine your schedule to determine where you may replace scheduled meetings with a brief summary email or a group working document to inform clients or co-workers of the status of a project.
If meetings are necessary, make sure to set an agenda in advance so that everyone can stay on task and get the job done. If meetings weren’t the default method of communication, imagine how much time might be saved and allocated to other tasks (or break time).
3.Set aside time.
Leaving much space on your calendar invites other people to fill it. Setting aside time for contact when you’re at your best can help you arrange your priorities. For instance, mark that time on your calendar as busy if you need some alone time in the morning to work on your to-do list.
Work when you’re most productive, and avoid forcing yourself to work when you’re not. Try to frontload your calendar with the most crucial tasks if you know that your concentration begins to wane after lunch. Additionally, try scheduling your day into production blocks instead of hour-by-hour, with each block devoted to reading emails, working on tasks, running errands, etc. Breaking up the day helps to reduce burnout by preventing multitasking and taking on too much.
- Establish (and convey) boundaries.
Women naturally want to help others when they need it. Burnout won’t result from lending a helping hand, but it will only if you make time for yourself and receive something in return for your efforts. It’s simple to overextend oneself. Establish penalties when limits are breached and be explicit about expectations and boundaries.
Poor communication is typically linked to long-term annoyance. If you feel overworked, talk to your supervisor, a client, or even yourself to find out what may be changed to lessen stress. You can achieve this by turning off email notifications on your phone and avoiding checking your email after 5 PM.
Or it could mean turning down more requests. Respect your boundaries and constantly evaluate what functions well for you, whatever it may be.
- Take your time and pick your battles.
It can get tiresome very soon to complete every challenge at a level 10 energy-wise. Instead, look for areas where you may make concessions without feeling violated. Pay attention to the individuals and situations that make you feel stressed out. If you frequently clash with particular individuals or environments, it can be a clue that the circumstance is no more extended right for you.
While it’s simple to blame people for stress, there are instances when we must take responsibility for removing ourselves from unfavorable circumstances. Only you know what battles are important to you and what demand your attention. Additionally, leaving is sometimes the wisest course of action.
- Get to know yourself and love yourself.
Excessive negativity, especially in how we behave toward or speak to ourselves, can also lead to burnout. Are you too hard on yourself when you make a mistake, or do you try to figure out what went wrong and how to avoid it in the future? Accountability is crucial, even if women are often their own harshest critics, which makes it harder for them to avoid feeling the strain of daily stress.
Give yourself a rest as well. Please don’t feel wrong about requiring time to yourself, whether it’s a lengthy lunch or a half-day, to indulge in something soothing. You may need a massage, a decadent meal, or simply a relaxed day at home with no one bugging you. Embrace self-love.
As a conclusion
Women have many responsibilities, so we must be aware of our recharging needs. By striking a balance, we may avoid burnout and live our lives to the fullest in a healthy and long-lasting way.
