The last few months have not been easy for most Americans. Many of us have been working from our homes, or facing job loss, leading to even more stress than normal.

If you’re feeling burned out, you aren’t alone. There are some steps you can take to help make burnout less likely, so read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Smyrna shares some tips.

What Does Burnout Mean?

Put simply, burnout means you’re dealing with way too much stress and your body is reacting. Officially, burnout is defined as “a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress.”

If you’re burned out, you will likely experience a wide range of symptoms affecting both your physical and emotional health. It’s also common for burnout to affect your work and your relationships.

Symptoms of Burnout

• More frequent illness
• Changes in appetite or sleep
• Headaches
• Body aches
• GI issues
• Lack of enjoyment in normally enjoyable activities
• Increased cynicism or critique
• Use of drugs, alcohol or excess food to cope

How Can I Get Past Burnout?

If you’re feeling burned out, there are some steps you can take to help steady yourself and prevent burnout in the future.

These mainly involve practicing healthy lifestyle habits, knowing what triggered your burnout and taking action to create a better balance.

How to Prevent Burnout

• Talk with your manager about issues at work.
• Create boundaries between your work and your home life, even if you’re working at home.
• Prioritize getting between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.
• Eat a healthy diet filled with fruits and veggies.
• Exercise for at least 30 minutes most days.
• Find ways to relax, like hobbies, meditation or yoga.

Feeling less than your best? Stop by AFC Urgent Care Smyrna for a diagnosis and treatment plan to get you back to your best.