How to handle stress & burnout — when you're running on empty
What to do when the tank's dry and it's not letting up.
Too much, too fast, and you're underwater with no idea where to start.
— Right now
- Stop and dump it all out — every task on paper. The pile in your head is always scarier.
- Pick the one thing that matters most right now and do only that.
- Step outside for two minutes. You think worse when you're maxed out.
- If you can, tell someone you're swamped. Most help only comes when you ask.
— Don't
- Don't try to do it all at once — that's how nothing gets done.
- Don't skip lunch and breaks to catch up — it makes the afternoon worse.
— Later
- Flat-out with no let-up for months is burnout territory, not a busy week.
Too much, too fast, and you're underwater with no idea where to start.
— Right now
- Stop and dump it all out — every task on paper. The pile in your head is always scarier.
- Pick the one thing that matters most right now and do only that.
- Step outside for two minutes. You think worse when you're maxed out.
- If you can, tell someone you're swamped. Most help only comes when you ask.
— Don't
- Don't try to do it all at once — that's how nothing gets done.
- Don't skip lunch and breaks to catch up — it makes the afternoon worse.
— Later
- Flat-out with no let-up for months is burnout territory, not a busy week.
Stress & burnout: the short version
- 1.Dump every task on paper. Do the one that matters.
- 2.Build a hard stop between work and home.
- 3.Short fuse = empty tank. Rest is the fix.
- 4.You can't pour from empty — take one thing off.
- 5.If the flat sticks, it might be more than stress.
Doing it tough?Call Lifeline 13 11 14