Prioritise Your Wellbeing: Beat Burnout

As a Community Manager, Content Creator and Mother to a diabetic 10 year old, I have been experiencing an increased feeling of burnout with both work and personal projects over the last few months.

It’s been harder than normal for me to do the things I enjoy, find the inspiration to create, acknowledge my wins and successes, sleep through the night and, on top of that, I’ve also noticed my migraines have become more frequent.

This has led me to explore Burnout more closely, so that I can recognise the symptoms and try to change how I approach my work-life balance.

Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean me first; it means me too – L.R. Knost

What is Burnout?

Burnout is a phenomenon that is particularly prevalent among those engaged in work that requires constant creativity and output, such as content creation, marketing, and social media management.

It is psychological syndrome emerging from prolonged and chronic stress; primarily related to work and caregiving situations. There are several factors that can contribute to burnout, including:

Workload: Excessive work demands and poor job design including structures and processes.

Lack of Control: Feeling powerless and lacking influence over decisions.

Insufficient Reward: Inadequate recognition, appreciation or financial compensation.

Unfairness: Perceptions of inequality or favouritism in the workplace.

Values Conflict: Misalignment between personal and organisational values.

Repetition: Doing the same things daily, even those you enjoy, can lead to exhaustion.

Recognising Burnout Symptoms

It is more than just feeling tired; it can manifest in various ways, including:

Physical Symptoms:

• Chronic fatigue
• Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns
• Frequent headaches or stomach issues

Emotional Signs:

• Increased feelings of frustration or irritability
• A lack of enthusiasm for work that once excited you
• Feelings of isolation or disengagement

Cognitive Effects:

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Reduced creativity and inspiration
• Procrastination or avoidance of tasks

If you identify with several of these signs, it may be time to take a step back and evaluate your current state of well-being.

Self-Care Strategies to Combat Burnout

So what can be done to help address burnout?

Set Boundaries:

• Clearly define your working hours and stick to them.
• Avoid checking work-related messages outside of these hours. Mute your Slack notifications and set your status on Discord to Do Not Disturb.
• Use tools such as the Human Handbook from Safe In Our World to help guide others in how to understand your needs and best communication practices.

Prioritise Rest:

• Incorporate regular breaks into your day to recharge, and try to take your lunch break away from your desk or workplace if you can.
• Consider taking short vacations or longer periods away from work to reset your mindset. The odd day off will often not be enough time to help combat feelings of burnout.

Engage in Mindfulness Practices:

• Activities such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help centre your thoughts and reduce stress.
• Journaling about your feelings and challenges can lead to insights and relief.
• Try burning essential oils or your favourite scented candles in your workspace.

Diversify:

• If possible, mix up your tasks to avoid monotony. Exploring different content formats or platforms can rejuvenate your creativity.
• Engage in hobbies and interests outside of work to maintain a balanced life.

Assess Your Workload:

• Regularly review your projects and responsibilities. Are you taking on too much? Learn to delegate tasks or say no to additional projects when necessary.
• Speak with your line manager or colleagues about your workload and concerns, so that they can implement changes and relieve the pressure from you.

Remember: Self care isn’t selfish.

Self care means giving yourself permission to pause – Cecila Tran

Burnout is a serious issue that can affect not just your productivity, but also your overall quality of life. Recognising the signs early and implementing strategies for self-care are crucial steps toward overcoming this challenge.

By prioritising your well-being and finding a healthy balance between work and personal life, you can improve your mental health, enhance your creativity and rekindle the passion for your craft.

It’s perfectly okay to take a step back and rest—after all, a healthier you will lead to better content creation and work satisfaction.

Written by Gemma (KawaiiFoxita)