The end of the year is rolling around and while that means Christmas holidays are just around the corner, it also means burnout is getting out of hand. Here are 3 ways you can fight burnout with mindfulness.
What is mindfulness and how does it help burnout?
Mindfulness refers to the practice of being calm, reflective, and in the moment. You can practice mindfulness in a range of ways — from meditation to yoga. Regardless of how you choose to practice mindfulness, the benefits are endless. People who practice mindfulness tend to see improved moods, lower stress levels, and a higher quality of life. That’s precisely why it can be used to fight burnout. As the end of the year rolls around, you might be feeling exhausted. This could be because of work commitments, family commitments, or other stressors in life. Mindfulness can be used to fight burnout as it helps you reflect on why you feel burnt out, improve your mood, and help you find solutions to these stressors.
#1 Fighting burnout with mindful journaling
A lot of reasons for burnout are mental or emotional. You might not be physically exhausted from work — but on the inside, you might be extremely tired. That’s why managing your thoughts is an effective way to fight burnout. Mindful journaling can help you reflect on your day, understand why you’re tired and in turn, how you should change your lifestyle in the future. Spend just 5 minutes a day reflecting on your day and understanding what’s causing your burnout. You can then actively take steps to fight it.
#2 Take a mindful walk
Sometimes burnout is caused by having too much happening at once. That’s when you need to take a step back and physically remove yourself from the stressful environment. A mindful walk is a peaceful walk you take where you reflect on your thoughts. It helps you recollect yourself, understand your thoughts and just enjoy the outside world.
#3 Fighting stressors with deep breathing exercises
What if you can’t physically remove yourself from your stressors? In this case, you can try emotionally removing yourself from the situation through breathing exercises. Deep breathing exercises help you pause, take a beat, and then move on with a better take on the situation. There are many deep breathing exercises to choose from – so pick a method that works for you the most! Here’s one to try: using a mindful timer like a Timeqube, set an alarm for 5 minutes. Spend these 5 minutes breathing in, holding that breath for 10 seconds, and let your breath out. Use this opportunity to clear your thoughts — and you’ll feel much more energised after!
