‘Tis the season for burn-out and we all know, it’s not a jolly feeling.
Are you struggling to push through the days, as we approach the end of the year? You’re not alone. With the festive season right at our doorstep and a new year around the corner, you might be feeling the effects of year-end burnout come into full swing.
With work deadlines ramping up before the holiday season, we try to cram in as much as we can, but that’s exactly how burnout creeps up on you.
Motivation to work seems to fade from grasp, and making it through the day may seem nearly impossible. This is your body letting you know you’ve reached physical and mental exhaustion –more commonly known as burn-out, and you shouldn’t brush it off.
What is year-end burnout?
It’s around this time of the year (late November, early December) when we’re in the home stretch, before the annual year-end break. You might be feeling fatigued, anxious, dissatisfied and unmotivated in your work life. Truth is, you’re exhausted.
Getting up in the mornings becomes a hurdle. No matter how much and how well you slept, you’re still yawning the day away.
Mental capacity is at breaking point and tasks or activities that are said to help year-end burnout seem impossible, and just like that, self-care goes out the window.
Symptoms of year-end burnout
Year-end burnout is inevitable and you can experience different symptoms at different times. It’s sort of like a cycle.
- Reduced productivity
- Exhaustion – No amount of coffee can cure it!
- Feeling overwhelmed and stressed
- Lack of motivation
- Negativity
- Anxiety
- Lack of creativity
- Poor concentration
- Poor quality of sleep
Fight year-end burnout – positively!
The symptoms of year-end burnout can bring out your inner scrooge. But, there is good news! There are ways to combat the feeling of burning out toward the end of the year. Here are 5 ways to overcome year-end burnout to ensure you finish the year off strong.
1. Take a break
If you are fortunate enough to take a break over the upcoming holiday/festive period, we encourage it. For many, leave is forced due to company closure over Christmas and New Year.
The remedy to feeling overworked, tired, or not like yourself, in general, is to take a break and allow yourself to recharge.
When you find yourself too drained to function normally, a break will likely be very beneficial for you. A break could consist of things like catching up on sleep, taking a vacation, going on a date night, or enjoying time with family.
2. Manage your workload better
Sometimes, we lose track of deadlines, meetings and events when we’re exhausted. To avoid missing anything important, write down important upcoming deadlines in a planner. This will help you feel more organised, and less stressed. Time management will become your bestie.
If any of your work projects can be shifted to the new year, do it! Productivity and the drive to tackle this task will be kicked into full swing in the new year, if you get some rest first.
That being said, prioritise this year’s deadlines and ensure you complete them so that if you are taking a break, you can switch your mind off from work completely.
3. Keep a positive mindset
Try to not put too much pressure on yourself. Keep a positive mindset, practice kindness with yourself and approach the end of the year with patience.
It is so easy to allow negative thoughts to enter your mind. Those thoughts will tell you you’re tired, and unable to complete the year, which is depressing. But, your mind is stronger than you think! That final push will feel impossible but once you’re through, you’ll be able to relax on the beach with your family knowing that you finished all of your work.
Reframing the way you approach work that needs to be completed before the year end can change your perspective.
4. Balance life
During this intense period, it’s very important to maintain a balanced life. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, practise self-care and when you have a moment ( on weekends?) put down the work and focus on fun activity. Wallowing in your tiredness is not going to help.
5. Learn to say no
You don’t have to attend every event, gathering or party. Prioritise what is important and what will be able to benefit you. Never make empty promises. If you know you are unable to commit, rather don’t because you won’t want to run around like a headless chicken trying to please others when you need to prioritise yourself during this burnout period.
Remember, this too will pass. After a good break, you’ll kick off 2023 with a bang!
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Featured Image: Getty Images / Westend61
