In today’s society, it can feel like all we do is work; wake up, take a shower, go to work (or work from home!), come home, eat, sleep, rinse, repeat. According to Blue Water Credit, Americans work more hours than any other country in the world. The numbers are frightening. A recent poll shows that Americans work an average of 47 hours per week, and 18 percent of Americans work over 60 hours a week. It’s no wonder we’re all so tired, even when we are still in college or have just started our adult lives!
If you’re struggling with the effects of burnout, this guide from UNOVA Coworking offers a few steps you can take to help you find your own version of work-life balance.
Find a Mentor
There are many reasons to have a mentor. She can give you advice on how to advance your career to the next level, help you build meaningful connections — and offer insight on how to achieve a better work-life balance. Even if there are times you feel you can’t possibly juggle all of the professional and personal responsibilities on your plate, your mentor can help you navigate the stress of it all based on her own experiences.
Find a Job that You Enjoy
Sometimes burnout is simple. Nobody likes putting in countless hours at a job they don’t enjoy. But there are many reasons why people continue to stay at a job they can’t stand. Maybe you’re worried about a consistent income or have recently been dropped from your parents’ health insurance. Unfortunately, these are realities that every American has to think about. But that doesn’t mean you are stuck!
If you are struggling with burnout, it may be time to reevaluate your options and pivot your career. Closely examine your finances, look for ways to save extra money, and make a plan to find a job you love. Doing something you enjoy with a team that is a good fit can refresh your whole life and bring back your zeal before you lose your zest for life.
In some cases, your best option to further your career is to go back to school. The great news is that thanks to so many online education programs, it’s easier than ever for career-minded folks to continue working while they take online classes around their schedule. Of course, there are many tracks you can take, but as an example, enrolling in an online business program could help you climb the ranks at your current company, become a more desirable candidate at another firm, or even pave the way for you to follow your entrepreneurial dreams.
Whatever your ambitions, don’t limit yourself at a job or company you’re not passionate about. The sky really is the limit!
Practice Mindfulness
So many of us get through our days by just going through the motions. But doing this can make the clock drag, inevitably resulting in burnout. What does it mean to be mindful? Positive Psychology defines mindfulness as “a moment-to-moment awareness of one’s experience without judgment.” But what exactly does this mean?
In essence, it means being aware of your actions and what drives them. When you are mindful at work, there’s a greater chance that you’ll feel like what you do matters. While you are paying attention to your surroundings, it is also a good idea to practice controlled breathing. This can help you settle your mind and body and reduce stress that can hurt you in the long run.
Use Your Vacation Time
If you’re lucky enough to work for an employer that provides paid vacation time, don’t let it go to waste. Many companies work on the mentality of “use it or lose it.” This means that if you don’t use your current year’s allowance, it disappears. You have to wait until you earn more time to take a vacation.
Think this tip sounds like common sense? Think again. According to Forbes, Americans let almost 50 percent of their vacation days in 2017 go unused. What’s worse, 10 percent didn’t even take a vacation at all. That time away from the workplace can be instrumental in keeping you happy and healthy, not to mention helping you avoid burnout, so put it to good use, even if you aren’t able to travel. Simply taking some time at home via a staycation will give you a much-deserved break from your job and help prevent burnout.
Learn to Manage Your Time Wisely
Time is a valuable thing, and you only have 24 hours in each day. Learn how to use yours wisely. This starts by putting an end to doing the things you despise. While you still have to do the dishes and fold the laundry, you don’t have to give up your day off to babysit your sister’s kids, and you don’t have to mingle with co-workers you don’t like. Remember, your time is just that, yours. You can also make room in your days by being more efficient. Need to get gas, go grocery shopping, and pick up the dry cleaning? Find a grocery store with a fuel station and the nearest cleaners, and make it a single excursion, not three different trips.
Burnout is a reality that many Americans deal with. But it doesn’t have to be. When you examine the root cause and take steps to make a change, you may find you’re able to achieve a greater work-life balance.
If spending more time working from home is throwing a wrench in your work-life balance, consider a membership with UNOVA Coworking. Having a professional space where you can focus during work makes it easier to firm up boundaries. Check out our membership options today!