Have you ever felt like no matter how bad you want to you just can’t get started because you’re stuck in what feels like several feet of mud? You may be suffering from burnout, particularly if you have been super-busy for a long-stretch. Burnout sucks! (And that’s to put it mildly). If you’ve ever suffered from it, you know how hard it is to get started again, and you know how badly you wish you could have avoided it.
Taking breaks is just as important as being productive. I know a lot of people throw the phrase “life balance” around, and it can seem like balance is just not possible, particularly in 2017. Here’s why you want to strive for it anyway: Your body and brain have a way of making you stop when you’re doing too much. Not only can you suffer from mental burnout and adrenal fatigue, but pushing too hard for too long can do long can lead to long-term physical effects including weight gain, heart problems, and depression.
What Do You Like to Do for Fun?
It’s amazing how many people cannot answer this question, but it’s so important to have things you enjoy – whether it’s getting out and taking a stroll in a park or it’s knitting. Don’t say you like to work for fun – that’s just going to lead to more burnout – and if you do things you love for work (write, craft, etc.) make sure you have other things that you do to decompress.
Schedule Down Time Each Week
Put your down time on your calendar each week. If you schedule time for it, you’re more likely to do it. Consider making plans with a friend or family member to engage in the fun activity – that will help to keep you accountable.
If Your Schedule is Full, Say “No”
“No” is not a bad word. Look over your obligations. What do you already have on your plate? If you are already close to being booked or overbooked, there’s no shame in telling someone you don’t have the bandwidth right now. Even if you do decide to say “yes” now, make sure you don’t make a habit of overbooking yourself, and schedule some extra time off after the busy period is over.
What do you do to ensure you get breaks? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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Published by Ronda Bowen
Hello there, and welcome to my page! I have been working as a full-time freelance writer and editor since 2008 when I decided that while I rather enjoyed philosophy, the Ph.D. program I was in was not a good fit for my life goals. Since then, I have published many papers and articles, started two blogs, worked as a senior editor for a magazine, served on the board of a start-up non-profit organization, and walked across fire.
I strongly believe that it is important to work to make the world a better place – one project at a time. I’ve worked with Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program to construct living quarters for those in need, written content for Stonewall Alliance, and edited the newsletter for my local natural foods cooperative. One of the blogs I founded, Activism My Way is dedicated to helping people get involved with causes they feel passionate about.
Although my academic background is in philosophy and social and political theory, my heart has always been in writing fiction and poetry. I have a novel in progress, and I am working on putting together a collection of short stories to share with readers. I also worked as part of a creative team on a project with a hip hop artist that involved world-building and creating an amazing back story to a concept album. I have worked with several authors to edit their novels (as well as dissertations, children’s books, journal articles, and non-fiction projects).
Non-fiction topics I have written about include pop culture and philosophy, project management, business startups and management, insurance, technology, and much more. I also have created web content for a wide variety of clients (ranging from gas station owners to hotels to lawyers), and I’ve had an opportunity to interview some amazing people (Michele May, Kevin Sorbo, Barbara Taylor Bradford, and Mark Victor Hansen to name only a few). Needless to say, I love what I do.
I enjoy photography, and my subjects these days are usually my children as well as food, beverages, craft projects, and other such things for my blog, Wining Wife™. My favorite subjects are landscapes, nature (particularly clouds, flowers, and trees), and architecture.
View all posts by Ronda Bowen
Ronda Bowen 