How do you handle stressful times? Do you just power through until you are done, barely surviving and definitely not thriving?
It doesn’t have to be this way. We are always going to be faced with stress. Sometimes we are in control and other times we are not. Either way, there are things you can do to help ground yourself.
This is the perfect time to put these tips into practice since we are in the middle of the holiday season. You don’t want to start 2025 feeling burnt out. Put in the work now so you can start the new year off strong!
How to Recognize When You Are Running on Empty
The first step to reducing stress is recognizing that you are burnt out. Once you are in survival mode and have tons to do, it can be tough to recognize that you are running on empty. Here are some signs you should look out for:
- You are always tired
- You are more negative (which is not something you want to be during the holidays!)
- Everything is getting under your skin
- You are less motivated to go to work
- Falling asleep and staying asleep are a struggle
- You get headaches more frequently
Sometimes burnout happens so gradually, it’s hard to notice these changes in your routine. Recognizing it early is key to pulling yourself out of this cycle of stress.
How Rest When You Don’t Have Time
You may be thinking… but I don’t have time to rest! We get it. It can be tough to find time to take care of yourself during busy seasons. However, it is necessary to be able to show up as your best self. Here are some things we recommend doing to refill your cup when you just don’t have the time:
- Plan out moments each week to rest: You need to be intentional and keep yourself accountable with resting.
- Work on your mindset: You need to be okay with saying no, asking for help, or not getting everything done perfectly.
- Relax your body: When we get stressed, we tend to be very tense. Consciously relaxing the muscles in your face and shoulders can signal to your body to relax.
- Find moments during the day for yourself: It can be as simple as taking a couple deep breaths during your lunch break or whenever you use the bathroom. Try this 3 minute meditation to help you feel more grounded.
- Create a bedtime routine: Even if you just have 10 minutes, spend time away from your phone reading, taking a bath, doing a meditation, or just being present with your family.
- Make a list of must do’s at the beginning of each day: Once this list of must do’s is done, rest! It is okay to try and get ahead of things sometimes, but make sure you also carve out time for yourself.
Prevent Burnout in the Future
Once you recover from chronic stress and burnout, it’s important to come up with rituals to prevent it from happening again. We get ourselves into a state of burnout because we want to get things done. However, when we let stress rule our lives, we end up getting less done.
Here are some tips to prevent burnout and start 2025 off strong!
- Do a time audit: How are you spending your time? Are you wasting time during the day to “be busy” but are not truly getting things done? This will help you stay productive and still have time for yourself.
- Start saying no: If you do not have time or you don’t feel comfortable doing something, start saying no. By saying no to certain obligations, you are saying yes to yourself. This will give you the capacity to truly give it your all when helping others.
- Make it a habit to take care of yourself: Make a list of all the things that make you feel your best. Figure out which are most important to you and start making them a priority this week. This may not always be what you want to do. For example, you may not always feel like exercising, but it’s a great way to take care of your body and keep stress at bay.
- Be kind to yourself: Sometimes burn out is less about what is on your schedule and more about how you view it. When you constantly tell yourself you are not doing enough, it can be hard to manage your stress. It is important to find that balance between tough love and kindness.
It’s Time to Put YOU First
As we close out 2024, we hope you start taking the time to put yourself first. This will help you show up as your best self in all aspects of your life. If you want to make 2025 YOUR year, start working smarter, not harder. Check out our blog from last year on how to beat the holiday stress!
If you want your workforce to start the new year off strong, email us at beryl@bkomplete.com to schedule a Corporate Wellness Consultation and start empowering your employees to take control of their health.