Tip of the Week: How to Avoid Office Burnout

When a hard-working business owner such as yourself gets going, you keep working until you’ve got nothing left to give. This is commonly known as “office burnout,” and isn’t healthy for anyone, or anything; especially your business and office relationships.

Office burnout is similar to the physical term, “exhaustion.” You do too much, and it has a mental effect on how you work and behave. Just like any other illness, it’s important to take measures to prevent it. Otherwise, you risk a full-on epidemic, and before you know it, you won’t be the only one suffering. There are several ways you can cut down on working yourself to the bone:

• Mini-breaks.
• Careful use of sick and vacation time.
• Physical activity.
• Getting enough sleep.
• Getting along with co-workers.
• Shorter commutes.

Short Breaks are the Best Breaks
Inc. recommends business professionals take breaks every twenty minutes. It might sound like a lot of breaks, but honestly, you do it to yourself subconsciously anyway, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Instead of staring at Facebook for a minute or two, get up and move around. Physical movement is good for you, and taking a break from your computer monitor will feel like a micro-vacation.

Don’t Waste Sick Days on Not-Sick Days
A lot of employees will call in sick due to stress or other personal issues. Don’t be one of them. If you come in and you’re not mentally rested, your work quality will suffer. Save your sick days for when you’re actually feeling sick. The same can be said about your vacation time. Do you really think you’ll be able to take it all at once in some glamorous trip? That sure would be nice; but, in all likelihood, it probably won’t happen. Try and plan out when you think you’ll need a break, and take vacation days accordingly.

Light Physical Fitness Never Hurt Anyone… Much
A great way to spend your mini-breaks is to get your blood pumping with some light exercise. There are a variety of exercises perfect for the office, such as leg lifts and stretches. These can help keep your body physically fit (because sitting down all day certainly doesn’t help). You can even get some light weights to carry around, which will help keep your muscles active even while at work. It’s been scientifically proven that when you feel better about yourself, you perform better in the workplace, so take advantage of any little bit you can.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Obviously, rest is an essential part of staying healthy, both physically and mentally. You should aim to hit the hay at a decent time that will let you wake up naturally without an alarm clock, but sometimes that’s easier said than done, especially when you’re trying out a new sleep schedule. Start by going to bed earlier and earlier every night, then keep progressing until you are waking up naturally at the desired time. You should still set an alarm clock, as even the body can make mistakes. Keep in mind that the goal here is not to oversleep, but to ensure that you get enough rest, as sleepless nights can lead to illness and injury.

Play Nice with Others
It should go without saying that you should treat others how you would like to be treated, but sometimes gossip and a tense environment can lead to unintended circumstances. A negative workplace saps the energy out of your very being, so it’s in everyone’s best interests to create the best working environment possible. If you like who you work with, you will enjoy your job more. Try to hang out with your co-workers outside of the workplace, and you’ll be able to associate them with something other than work in no time at all.

Short Commutes Make Happier Employees
Unless you rent a house or apartment, this one might not be an option. However, it has been proven that people are happier when they have shorter commutes to and from work. Telecommuting might even be an option, as it saves employers and employees serious coin when integrated correctly.

You’re going to have those days where you’re exhausted and don’t want to do anything, and that’s okay; you’re only human, after all. By taking these steps to combat office burnout, you can mitigate it and prevent it from ruining your day-to-day existence. For more tips on how to improve your performance in the workplace, contact Macro Systems at (703) 359-9211. We’ll work with you to ensure an optimal working environment you and your team.