Burnout is mental exhaustion that can lead to serious mental, physical, and emotional side-effects. Burnout occurs when you're under severe and constant stress. Addressing and monitoring these negative feelings is the key to moving past them.While confronting stress <a href="https://www.eleanortypes.com/post/Tracking-Your-Stress-Levels-To-Improve-Burnout-Recovery">may seem uncomfortable </a>at first, it's not an admission of failure. Instead, it's acknowledging that you need to take care of yourself.

Tracking Your Stress Levels To Improve Burnout Recovery

Your levels of stress will vary depending on what's going on in your life. Ignoring warning signs can have a serious impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. Here are some warning signs that you're approaching or experiencing burnout:Overwhelmed: Regularly burdened, even by simple tasks.Unmotivated: Focus is at an all-time low.On Edge: High anxiety, low recharge success.Fatigue: Tired even after resting.Withdrawn: Pulling away from others, even your usual support system.Sickly: Aches, pains, and sick days.

Ignoring Signs of Burnout

The goal of <a href="https://www.dummies.com/article/body-mind-spirit/emotional-health-psychology/emotional-health/stress/monitor-your-stress-with-a-stress-journal-164562/">a stress journal</a> (also referred to as a stress diary or stress log) is to keep a record of how stressed you are throughout the day and what circumstances increase these feelings.This doesn't have to look polished! Write down the time, event, and how it made you feel. You can also add from 1 - 10 how stressed it made you feel or the importance of the event to your day. Above is my personal example!

1) Maintain A Stress Journal

A "<a href="https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/January-2022/Understanding-Mental-Illness-Triggers">trigger</a>" activates a feeling within you - the term is typically used for stressors that activate trauma, anxiety, or stress. Identifying these can help you track instances where you feel overwhelmed.Here are examples of how you can identify what's really bothering you:<ul><li>Do the dishes stress you out as much as cleaning your work area?</li><li>Does your work ethic suffer more when you're put on certain types of projects?</li><li>How long do you put off some tasks more than others? What finally convinces you to complete them?</li></ul>

2) Identifying Triggers

Mindfulness, put simply, is the practice of being present. Find an exercise that helps anchor your mind in the present, through physical and mental connection.The <a href="https://www.brandonjonestherapy.com/post/the-five-senses-countdown">5 Senses Countdown</a> is a great beginners way to cope with anxiety and feeling overwhelmed.Take a deep breath. Now, find:<ul><li>5 things you can see</li><li>4 things you can hear</li><li>3 different textures</li><li>2 different smells</li><li>1 thing to name</li></ul>Combine deep breathing exercises with mindfulness practices like the 5 Senses Countdown.

3) Mindfulness Exercises

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to stress recovery; your method of relaxation will also need to be adaptable.Music: make a playlist that calms you or hypes you up.Get Togethers: Plan time with your support system.Retail Therapy: Some people feel better when they buy comfy clothes, make a purchase they've been saving up for, or even spend time in a public place.Naps: Sleeping is the human equivalent of “have you tried turning it off and on again?”

4) Updating Your Solutions List

Sleeping is the human equivalent of "Have you tried turning it off and on again?"

Any schedule comes with stress. Ignoring burnout symptoms can seriously impact your well-being.Monitor what increases negative feelings so that you can build a recovery plan that works for you at the time.

Staying Conscious of Your Stress Levels

Stress is something we all experience. Find a healthy way to reduce your stress levels and monitor potential burnout.

Tracking your stress levels can help reduce the lasting effects burnout has on your physical and mental health.

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Tracking Stress Levels To Improve Burnout Recovery

Procrastination is that urge to distract yourself from important tasks. Productive procrastination is a nice way to tell yourself that you're not really procrastinating because you're still being productive in some way.

Can Productive Procrastination Be A Useful Tool?

<ul><li>Smaller Tasks: Break your project into bite-sized pieces using <a href="https://monday.com/blog/project-management/task-analysis/#:~:text=Task%20analysis%20is%20important%20because,streamlines%20processes%2C%20and%20increases%20productivity">task analysis</a>. Re-ordering your tasks or jumping between can help to move the process along.</li><li>Establishing Structure: "Unnecessary" but important tasks help you stay motivated without forcing your attention on something you just can't focus on.</li><li>Reducing Stress: Procrastination leads to stress, which takes a toll on mental health and, in turn, productivity. If you feel like you're still being productive because you're at least checking off something, you're helping to reduce the risk of heightened stress.</li></ul>

Using Procrastination to Your Advantage

Monitor Your TimeThe key to using productive procrastination to your advantage is to keep it under control. Keep the miscellaneous tasks under half an hour.

Controlling Productive Procrastination

Keep Tasks Simple<ul><li>Stick to a routine</li><li>Keep your focus on a relevant area</li><li>Find accountability partners</li><li>Avoid falling into old habits</li></ul>

Don't get started on a whole new project!

Take BreaksTake the time to recharge and completely turn your mind away from your obligations once or twice a day. This helps reduce stress and improve your outlook on the day.

Sometimes the best use of your time is to do nothing

Productive procrastination is a quality tool when used in moderation. But don't give “meaningless” tasks the role of being productive just because you want to feel better about how you’re using your time. It’s a good practice to adjust your productivity shortcomings and acknowledge the procrastination traps you commonly fall into. Stay structured, find a system that works for you, and be honest about your mental capacity each day.

A Word of Caution

Here are a few key take-aways from my latest article!

What is productive procrastination? Use these "secondary tasks" to your advantage and avoid procrastination traps.

Tracking Stress Levels To Improve Burnout Recovery

Can Productive Procrastination Be A Useful Tool?

Eleanor Mathers