If you've been feeling burned out at work lately, you're not alone. And if changing jobs or even taking a short vacation are out of the question, here are five other things you can do to combat work burnout . . .
1. Identify that you're burned out. It's more than just being tired. It can also feel like you're jaded with your job or company and or like your role serves little purpose. And work burnout can manifest in several different symptoms like headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and sleep disturbances.
2. Map out your ideal situation. Think about what your work life might look like if you had a magic wand and could change your circumstances to your ideal ones.
You might discover some issues that could easily be resolved by talking with management. Or . . . you could find that even with unlimited resources, you still don't enjoy the core activities your job requires. So a big change would be good.
3. Learn to set boundaries. Once you figure out where the source of burnout comes from, setting some boundaries can go a long way. Like if you're struggling with your workload, you might ask your manager to help you delegate tasks to someone else . . . or reprioritize and decide what work can wait.
4. Look for a sense of meaning in your work. Even if it's small. Like paying attention to the ways your work is contributing to a greater good.
5. Detach your identity from your work. This is especially important for perfectionists who take it personally when things aren't going well at work.
You also might want to get an accountability buddy who can let you know when you're overdoing it at work and it's starting to affect your personal life.