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Today I want to talk about burnout and specifically how to treat and prevent burnout. If you’re experiencing burnout, or if you know someone who is experiencing burnout, or if you feel that you are on the verge of experiencing burnout, continue reading as there are only two ways to prevent and or treat burnout: (1) recovery and (2) variety.

Recovery
In this sense, we really mean stillness. We mean rest or some type of meditation, deep breathing, getting outside and just being still in the fresh air – stillness.

When I ask people when they typically recover throughout the day, the normal responses are at the end of the day, on the weekends, on vacation, and during exercise when I get to emotionally recover. That’s all great and I want you to continue that, but it’s not nearly good enough. Professional athletes do not recover when they have the time, which is really what those answers are alluding to. Evenings, weekends, vacation, exercise are often examples of recovery when it’s convenient and when you have the time. Professional athletes have recovery built into their performance program. It is a mandatory component of their routine because recovery is when they renew energy. It’s when they rebuild muscles, both physical and mental so that, when they get back to their sport, they are more efficient and productive. For these same reasons, recovery must be a mandatory component of your performance program.

Variety
Variety is simply doing something different than what you were just doing. It can be picking up a new task on your to-do list. It could be doing a hobby. It could be changing your environment – anything that adds variety to your day.

Although there is benefit to having routines, for those experiencing burnout, it can feel a bit like groundhog day. Instead, be creative and identify ways to incorporate variety into each of your day. Sometimes, variety is given to you with your schedule, responsibilities, etc. Other times, you have to intentionally introduce it to your day.

Take Action
Today, how are you going to incorporate both recovery and variety? I would like for you to intentionally create five sessions of recovery and/or variety today. They might last three, five, ten, fifteen, thirty- minutes, or longer. The quantity doesn’t matter as much as the quality. This is the only way to prevent and/or treat burnout so you might as well start the practice now and reap the benefits.

If you have any questions or comments, leave the in the space provided.
Until next time, have a wonderful rest of your day!

Dr. Haley Perlus, PhD

Dr. Haley Perlus works with some of the world’s top athletes, brands, and fitness experts to move past mental blocks and achieve results uniquely tailored to the individual or corporation’s goals and expectations. Follow her or subscribe to receive videos featuring Mental Toughness Moments.

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