7 Ways To Avoid "Burnout"
The end of the semester is coming up quickly. This means you’ve worked through an almost full semester and may be feeling burnout or coming close to it. Now is the time to push through those final projects and exams, not letting burnout take over your life.
Burnout was a term coined in the 1970s describing many symptoms such as frustration, chronic exhaustion, forgetfulness, and trouble focusing caused by prolonged stress or overworking. This is a phenomenon that we will not only counter in our time at school but also in the workplace, especially in fields such as public relations. The graphic below (by Healthline) describes the stages of burnout.
Where are you in this process? Why not learn some tips and tricks on how to stay productive without feeling overwhelmed before going through all stages? There are many tips and suggestions on how to combat burnout in the workplace online. Here are 7 tips that I’ve found to be effective throughout my time in college and participating in internship programs:
Get good sleep
I know this is difficult when there is a lot on your plate and you feel like there just isn’t enough time in the day. It is number one on this list for a reason - it’s the most important.
Time block your day
This method shows what needs to be done for the day by breaking it down into manageable time chunks, allowing you to stay focused during that specific time period.
Take designated breaks
This goes hand-in-hand with time blocking your day. Include designated times for breaks to make those times of work and focus more productive. Using calming apps such as headspace or calm can be an effective way to de-stress in an allotted period of time.
Get exercise
Even a simple 30-minute walk can greatly reduce stress levels and increase focus. Include it in your time blocking to make sure it’s going to get done.
Set boundaries
Responding to emails at any time of the day seems to be one of the most common causes of burnout PR professionals run into. Setting boundaries includes creating designated hours for yourself that allows you to respond to emails in between those times and those times only.
Sign out of social media
Social media can be overwhelming on its own. Signing out of social media is a form of limiting distractions or limiting the cause of more stress during times of heavy workload.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Those in the public relations field tend to feel as if they have to manage large amounts of work on their own, even in team or partner projects. This comes from a mindset of having to do it themselves in order to do it ‘right’ or the competitive nature of the field itself. If you’ve been designated the resources to do a project, make sure you’re using them all and not taking it on alone.
Remember that an important part of managing your workload is taking care of YOU. Give yourself the time to relax and set those boundaries. Remind yourself that this season of exams and project overload is only temporary and you will get through it.
Check out more resources on what causes burnout and how to manage it from the medical professionals at Healthline.
About Hannah:
Hannah Beasly is a senior at Grand Valley State University studying advertising and public relations. Currently, Hannah is serving as a Design Associate in her first semester at GrandPR and interning as a Public Relations Manager for MNTN co. She is enthusiastic about public relations specifically in the hospitality and tourism industry. Hannah is passionate about traveling and discovering new experiences.