Life is hectic. Period. There’s always somewhere to be, someone to meet, an email to send…you get the point. Then we add on grocery shopping, meal prepping, blocking time for that pilates class and spending some real, uninterrupted QT with girlfriends or your significant other. Honestly, I don’t know how we do it all. I’m definitely a creature of habit and try to lock down a routine that I can stick to. But honestly, it hasn’t been easy lately. I feel like the energizer bunny..going, going, going – then I just stop. You wake up one day feeling drained and depleted of all energy. It’s unhealthy and it’s discouraging.
One of my goals this year is to slow down, to live every moment with purpose, and to focus more on self care while still sticking to a routine. Here’s are 5 things I’m doing to achieve that:
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5 tips for slowing down and avoiding burnout
Accept the things you can’t change
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again.. It’s OK to not be OK. If you’re like me, you take it really hard when you get sick or unexpected life events take place. I tend to push through the sickness fearful I’ll get too behind. But sometimes that stuff is inevitable and it’s our body’s way of telling us we need to rest. Take the rest when you need it.
Don’t be a ‘Yes’ man
You don’t have to say yes to every Friday night HH or mid-week dinner. Saying no to things that don’t fully align with your intentions or goals is OK. This took a long time for me to realize. Sometimes I say no to the night out, and opt to cook and dine-in or watch a movie at home with my friends. It’s still getting in that QT but doesn’t feel as overwhelming and tiring.
Put your phone away!!
Our time is important. Put your phone on DND, be fully present, engage and focus on the moment and the people you’re sharing it with. You’re going to enjoy your time so much more and your friends will feel much more loved. I like to set some other small rules – no phone at dinner, or after 9pm, and limited access at least one day of the weekend. Sometimes it’s hard not to be so connected and I occasionally break the rules, but I like to try to stick to them as much as I can. It feels so good to not be checking my phone every few minutes.
Enjoy alone time
Take time for yourself. This is the hardest thing for me and I still have a really tough time with this but it’s SO important. Binge that Netflix show, read a book, cook yourself dinner. Whatever it is – don’t feel guilty about being alone, and don’t feel like you’re being lazy. You’re recharging yourself for those busy days.
Pace yourself!
Do less, achieve more. We often get ahead of ourselves and look at the entire list of to-do’s instead of focusing on one task at a time. This typically leads to never fully accomplishing anything. Focus on one thing at a time. Sure, maybe it’ll take you a bit longer to complete your list, but you’re going to avoid burnout which will lead you to being productive longer instead and feeling like you need to take a break.
What do you do to avoid burnout?
Thanks for reading. Xo
