 Would you believe that burnout is the new pandemic? Burnout is a condition of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion brought by prolonged and excessive stress. It is a common occurrence in today's fast-paced world. How can burnout affect individuals? According to a 2020 survey, more than 84% of U.S. adults experienced at least one burnout symptom in the previous year. The most commonly cited symptoms were irritability, fatigue, and a loss of motivation. According to the survey, workplace stress is a large contributor to burnout, with 69% of respondents citing it as a substantial source of stress. So, how can people strike a better balance and prevent burnout? Here are some tips. Set clear boundaries, establish clear boundaries between job and personal life. Creating a designated workspace, turning off work-related notifications after hours, and prioritizing personal time for activities that bring pleasure and relaxation. Practice self-care. Self-care is essential for avoiding exhaustion. This can include exercise, healthy eating, enough sleep, and relaxing pursuits like yoga, meditation, or reading. Take breaks. It is critical to rest and recharge throughout the work week. This can include taking brief walks, stretching, or simply disconnecting and breathing for a few minutes. Seek help. Talking to a trustworthy friend or a mental health expert can help you manage stress and avoid burnout. Seeking help from coworkers, managers, or employee assistance programs can also lead to resources and answers. When feeling overwhelmed, it can be beneficial to prioritize duties and delegate responsibilities. Breaking large projects down into smaller, more manageable chores can also help. Build a positive work environment. Creating a positive work environment can help to reduce stress and avoid burnout. This can include encouraging open communication, recognizing and rewarding accomplishments, and fostering a work-life balance mindset. Employers can also help avoid burnout by implementing practices that prioritize employee well-being. This could include flexible working hours, remote work choices, and accommodating personal responsibilities. Employee well-being can also be improved by providing tools for physical and emotional health, such as fitness classes, counseling services, or stress management workshops. Clear communication. Setting clear goals, providing feedback, and allowing for employee input can help to improve communication and reduce workplace stress. Professional development assistance. Investing in employee development and growth can provide a sense of purpose and involvement, lowering the risk of burnout. Burnout truly is the new pandemic. But many can avoid burnout by setting boundaries, practicing self-care, taking breaks, finding support, prioritizing tasks, and fostering a positive work atmosphere. Employers must also emphasize employee well-being, providing flexible work arrangements, health and wellness programs, open communication, and professional development opportunities. Individuals and employers can achieve a better balance and avoid burnout by emphasizing well-being. Hi, I'm Amy Golding, Director of Psychology for the Workplace Mental Health Institute. We hope you liked the video. If you did, make sure to give it a thumbs up. We have more and more videos being released each week, so when you subscribe, you'll get a notification letting you know when a new one's just been published. So make sure to hit that subscribe button, and don't miss out on this vital information for yourself, your colleagues and your loved ones.