You're Not Alone
You don’t need to battle burnout alone. Help is available.
I recently talked about systems you can use to prevent burnout. Today I want to talk about getting help from other people.
You don’t need to confront burnout alone — people can help you. You might feel uncomfortable talking about this with others. But I promise this will help you recover from burnout faster. And you’ll have a better chance of preventing it in the future.
👉 This is a three-part series about how to conquer burnout:
Part 1: Your Health Comes First
Part 3: You’re Not Alone
Talk with a people leader
If you recently felt the effects of burnout or feel them coming on, tell your manager. Your manager’s job is to foster a healthy work environment for you and your team. If you feel like you’re burning out, you should tell them.
Good managers will empathize with you and ask you to take a break. They will also work with you to determine what’s triggering the burnout so you can prevent it.
If you don’t feel comfortable telling your manager, talk with their manager or someone on the People team. Burnout can impact your physical and mental health as well as your level of productivity. If your performance or behavior has changed, your company should know why so they can help you.
Talk with your co-workers
Your co-workers can also help you prevent burnout.
A co-worker might have a good strategy for breaking down tasks. Or another might know how to communicate with a temperamental colleague.
This is one of the reasons why I recommend having 1:1s with your peers. These topics can surface in conversations without even trying.
If you have a trusting relationship with a co-worker, ask them how they deal with stress at work. Tell them you’re feeling the impacts of burnout and need help.
Talk with a professional
There are plenty of professionals trained to help you overcome and prevent burnout. This includes career counselors and licensed therapists.
Many companies even include access to these professionals for all employees. Ask a member of the People team if you’re not sure you have this benefit.
As mental health awareness continues to grow, more therapy options become available. You can see therapists online or in person. And most health insurance plans cover these visits.
I’ve been seeing a therapist for ten years. I often talk about my career and professional ventures during sessions. This has helped me spot the warning signs of burnout. I’ve also gained a healthy perspective on work-life balance.
Let’s recap how you can recover from burnout and prevent it from happening again.
Remember to put your health first. Take breaks during the day and use your paid time off. Get outside and exercise regularly. This will help you be mentally and physically well.
While you work, use systems to help you organize and focus on tasks. Keep track of what you need to do and be clear about what you have to do now vs later. Identify your one thing every day and use time blocking to get it done.
You don’t need to battle burnout alone. Help is available. Talk with your manager about how you’re feeling. Chat one-on-one with your co-workers. Learn how they manage stress and solve work challenges. See a licensed professional to gain an outside perspective. They can teach you ways to improve your mental health.