Burnout has become an increasingly common concern for individuals working in demanding environments.
With the lines between work and home becoming progressively blurred, the urge to constantly be connected to work can lead to exhaustion, mental health concerns, and an overall negative impact on one’s quality of life.
If you find yourself frequently thinking about work at home, especially in the early hours of the morning, it may be time to take control and develop strategies to stop the cycle of overthinking and burnout.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the ways you can learn to disconnect from work and prioritise your well-being.
What Is Burnout?
Burnout, a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress, is a common occurrence in the workplace.
Burnout manifests in feeling drained, unmotivated and unable to engage in work fully. It can easily hinder one’s career growth and productivity, leaving them unable to keep up with the demands of their job.
Spending time worrying about work and working from home only adds to the overwhelming sense of pressure, making it nearly impossible to disconnect and recharge, in essence, constantly thinking and dealing with work while at home can contribute significantly to burnout.
How Burnout Can Derail Your Life:
Burnout is a silent epidemic that can derail your life, mental health, and career.
The pressures of work can often snowball into a suffocating sense of dread, anxiety, and exhaustion. Physical symptoms, such as headaches, muscle tension, and poor sleep habits, are just the tip of the iceberg.
Left unaddressed, burnout can hinder your entire life, mental health, and career. High levels of stress can lead to anxiety, depression, and, in extreme cases, panic attacks.
From a career perspective, burnout can lead to poor work performance, negative work relationships, and even job loss.
Avoiding Burnout – How To Stop Thinking About Work In The Middle Of The Night:
It’s 3 AM, and your mind is still racing about work. The never-ending to-do list and looming deadlines keep you up at night, threatening to drive you towards burnout.
So, what can you do?
Establish Boundaries:
One of the most effective ways of ensuring that you stop thinking about work is by setting a clear boundary between work and home life.
This means establishing set hours for work and sticking to them as much as possible. Establishing boundaries also means not taking work home, not checking emails, and avoiding work-related calls or tasks when you’re off-duty.
There is a lot of temptation to be productive and work around the clock, but setting boundaries will improve sleep habits and overall productivity.
Find an Outlet:
Whether through exercise, hobbies, or time spent with loved ones, it’s crucial to find an outlet to distract your mind from work-related thoughts.
Finding an outlet for relaxation will help keep you fresh, energised, and motivated to tackle work projects when it’s time to work.
Pursuing something you enjoy outside work can provide a positive mental shift from work stress to pleasure and enjoyment. Having something to look forward to outside of work can help you relax and disconnect from work worries.
Disconnect:
Disconnecting after work is vital in reducing burnout. This includes turning off digital devices, avoiding checking emails outside work hours, and unplugging entirely from work-related platforms.
Although it can come off as intense, try not to keep your phone too close to you, especially while in bed.
Disconnecting helps you to shift focus onto other, more important matters and to establish a work-life balance. It’s essential to set a clear boundary on the digital world’s role in your personal life as well.
Work on Sleep:
Poor sleep habits can contribute to burnout.
Setting a consistent bedtime routine and sticking to it creates sound sleeping patterns and enables your body to recharge. Keeping track of sleep cycles and getting enough hours to restore your mind and body allows for the best version of yourself when working.
In other words, a well-rested person is more productive, creative, and efficient in their tasks.
Use Connections and Resources:
Burnout doesn’t just affect you; it affects those around you as well. Fortunately, there are mental health and employee wellness resources available to help you address your concerns and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
This could include contacting your support network or mental health professionals for guidance and help. Career counselling and other wellness-boosting resources are also available to assist employees.
Conclusion:
Burnout is prevalent and can have severe consequences. However, with some self-care and mindfulness, you can take control and avoid overexertion and exhaustion.
Establishing boundaries, having outlets, disconnecting, prioritising sleep and looking for resources makes it possible to disconnect from work-related thinking and even stop 3 AM work thoughts.
Take charge of your mental well-being, and don’t let your work consume you. Remember, taking care of yourself is as important as your career success.
