How To Avoid Burnout

If there’s one thing those of us in the world of business know, it’s how hard we work. Sometimes our careers can feel like we’re always running on the proverbial hamster wheel, giving countless hours of our time to the job. It’s a necessary part of being a successful entrepreneur however, and while you may have a lucrative and rewarding career, it can take a toll on your body and mind if you aren’t careful. 

Everyone, especially those who have demanding and time-consuming jobs, needs downtime. Jack Torrance might have been a detestable character, but he was right about one thing: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. As a successful business person, you probably aren’t the type to loaf around, becoming lazy and unproductive. It’s just not in your nature. 

So how can you make the most of your downtime and give yourself a much-needed breather while remaining productive? How can you shake off the rut without neglecting your career?

Many folks in the business sector, men and women alike, have felt burnt out at one point or the other, and more and more of them are realizing they can combat this by pursuing outside hobbies that engage the mind, body and spirit; hobbies that make them appear well-rounded, look good on a resume, and help them relax.

Studies show that adults who participate in regular extracurricular activities are much less burnt-out, depressed and have better overall health than those who seclude themselves in jobs with no other outlets. Extracurricular activities improve your social life, overall mental health and physical wellbeing, in addition to giving you skills you can be proud of. You’re never too old to learn and constantly challenging yourself and pursuing new interests will keep you feeling young and vibrant. 

As adults, we so often neglect our health because of our jobs. We place our jobs above all else - our families, friends and our physical well-being. And for what? All the money and clout in the world won’t bring back those years wasted sitting behind a screen. Yes, we all have to make a living, but if you neglect your body and soul, you’ll burn out and cease to be productive. Pursuing outside hobbies is about so much more than just your mood; it really does improve your health and productivity. Reducing stress alleviates pressure on the heart and the brain while boosting your immune system. When your mental health is good, your physical health will also follow. 

When deciding what extracurricular activities to pursue, stop to consider your childhood dreams. What did you always dream of becoming? What was your biggest interest or passion? Start there and find a way to fit that dream into your adult blueprint. Whether you’ve always wanted to take a ballet class, learn how to become a pilot, coach a basketball team or sell award-winning pies on the weekend - whatever strikes your fancy - take the time to broaden your interests and make the most of your downtime. It can be as little or as much as you desire, for example, some people just want to take a class or two to get them out of the rut. Others pursue an entirely new hobby that they’ll enjoy for years to come while others find themselves smack dab in the middle of an exciting new career or venture. There are no rules and no limits, as long as you are happy and thriving. 

So many adults take classes, participate in courses and acquire new skills. Most universities and schools offer classes online these days specifically designed for people like you, who have to work around a business or work schedule. You can complete your training or take classes at your pace. In the end, you’ll have something great that’s just for you, outside your career; whether you’ve become a pilot, a part-time caterer or something else entirely. 

You love your job. You want to be the best in your field and at the top of your game. So it stands to reason that taking a little extra time for yourself now and then to cultivate new interests, pursuits and hobbies would only improve your already awesome mind and work ethic for the better. Keep that brain engaged and firing; keep your body motivated and in peak condition. Get out there and engage in some new hobbies and see what the world has to offer. You work so hard; you deserve it.