Summer Burnout – Don’t Do It.

Summer is here, and with it comes warmer weather, and longer days.

With more time in the day, it can lead to higher productivity levels, which I find leads to burnout.

What is Burnout?

According to Mayo Clinic, burnout is a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.

89% of workers have experienced burnout within the past year.

77% of employees have experienced feelings of burnout at their current job.

The burnout rate is 59% as of 2022, which is up 13.5% from 2021

Why does it occur more in summer?

There are more hours in the day, more social and family obligations and the workload doesn’t stop.

What does burnout look like?

There are a few typical signs: exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment.

Exhaustion: You feel it both mentally and physically. This may feel like you can never catch your breath or stay ahead.

Depersonalization: A feeling of indifference or numbness starts to grow. The characteristics that make you unique begin to fade and you aren’t quite your best self.

Reduced Personal Accomplishments: This usually happens when you feel insufficient in all the things you have to do. How or what you do just matters less to you.

There are a few ways to start to create balance and get over the “summer fatigue” hump.

1. Create some ‘unavailable hours’ for yourself and stick to them.

Set an out-of-office when on vacation. Take breaks throughout the day to walk, listen to a podcast, and hydrate.

2. Don’t over-schedule yourself, learn how to say no.

This can apply in both a social and professional sense. You will likely feel full of energy and build a plan around it. It’s better to set some limits for yourself.

3. Life Check-up.

Don’t wait on life. There will never be a “good time” for the things you’ve been wanting to do. Book it. Busyness won’t go away.

4. To Don’t List.

This is hard to do, but you have to learn to say new and set up some boundaries. This can be as simple as ruling out certain activities that you think are unhealthy. If it isn’t working toward your ultimate goals, cut it out.

Even when you’re a grinder; perseverance without passion is drudgery.