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Maya Ben Zid

Burnout is REAL and SCARY, do you have any tips?

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I've been working remotely for a while now and everything was going perfect. At least that's what I thought... What I didn't realise is that I was overworking myself for more than 2 years. Right now, I'm dealing with the consequences of feeling burnt-out. I'd appreciate it if you share some tips with me to get back on the RIGHT track this time 🙏

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Sarvam Fating
I'm sorry to hear that Maya. I hope you recover from it asap! Here's something I practice to avoid burnout as a Content Writer who writes blogs on a daily basis. >> I regularly use the POMODORO Timer (I downloaded it on my Macbook Air) for my work. So here's how I do it - Work for 25 mins and take a 5 mins break. Continue this cycle 4 times and then take a big break of 20 mins. This helps me stay productive and at the same time take rest appropriately. 🙌🏻 Here are a few other ways you can try out : - Meditation - Casual Walks - Reading Books Hope this helped 🙌🏻
Maya Ben Zid
@sarvam Oh thanks for the reminder! I used to set the POMODORO timer back when I first started working from home! I totally forgot about it so it's a good time to resort back to it! Do you have any books that you recommend if it doesn't take much of your time?
Sarvam Fating
@maya_ovice Oh ya sure! I won't overwhelm you by dropping a massive list. Here are two books you should definitely read : 1. Atomic Habits by James Clear 2. Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte And by chance, if you've already read Atomic Habits, try reading "Deep Work" by Cal Newport. Hope these help 🙌🏻
Maya Ben Zid
@sarvam Building a Second Brain sounds very intriguing for me! I will get it for myself! Thank you so so much for dropping these 🙏 If I would recommend something in return, it would be Chaos by James Gleick
Sarvam Fating
@maya_ovice Thanks a lot! I'll make sure to give it a read 🙌🏻
Amelia Goodman
@sarvam @maya_ovice for me, reading fiction helps because it allows my mind a total break from the working world... a collection of short stories and/or graphic novels are great if your brain has a hard time settling into something continuous. for short stories I recommend "a manual for cleaning women" by lucinda berlin and for graphic novels, "the secret to superhuman strength" by alison bechdel
Marcos Spontón
Sad to hear that Maya! I think you could start by regularly checking your burnout risk using burnoutindex.yerbo.co and if you like that, following the actions suggested and using the Slack app to push conversations with your manager in yerbo.co.
Maya Ben Zid
@marcos_sponton Oh I never heard of those! Thanks for the recommendation! I'll take a look!
Marcos Spontón
@maya_ovice I hope it helps! Let us know your feedback in any case :)
Gaurav Goyal
Try doing some Yoga. It really helps.
Maya Ben Zid
@gauravgoyal_gg I actually do practice Yoga at least 4 times a week, it helped me a lot in the past but for some reason, I feel out of focus when doing Yoga lately so I recently started doing Qigong exercices as well and I'm seeing some progress!
Maya Ben Zid
@gauravgoyal_gg I recommend this guy's videos
Marina Đurić
Sorry to hear this, Maya. Burnout is quite a severe problem that often goes unnoticed and takes a massive toll on us. I often experience burnout due to my lack of preserving an average working balance and often lacking the energy or focus to do work at a specific time, especially during the summer months. Something that always helps me to have a fresh start and slowly get into healthier habits is: - to deep clean up my remote working space - schedule breaks and working time in a calendar or to-do list - go outside for a walk - I'm most productive when I work from a quiet coffee shop - Document the exact work I've done As I'm struggling to get back on track, this is a much-needed thread of advice, so thank you!
Maya Ben Zid
@marina_djuric Hi Marina! IKR! To me I've always thought Burnout is a myth but now joke is on me lol Thank you for the tips! My working space indeed needs to be cleaned... (how did you know 👀) I didn't try the schedule thing so I'll try to set up one on my Notion workspace! I like working in public too! It really motivates me! But the thing is, I work in customer support/success so I'm constantly talking to clients so working at a cafe option is unfortunately no longer an option for me! I will also try following the other tips you suggested for me! I bet it will help! Something that I can recommend for you, is Qigong which I have recently started trying and it's making my mornings go a lot better than before!
Marina Đurić
@maya_ovice I'm new to CS so I guess things will be changing for me as well! 👀 This is my LinkedIn if you want to connect to continue the conversation sometime when you have time 😊 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mari...
Maya Ben Zid
@marina_djuric omg your LinkedIn is beautiful! I sent a request to connect! Otherwise, it will be a fun ride for you I hope! You seem like the person who will be the gem of the CS team
Aleks Dahlberg
Take some time out on an activity that COMPLETELY takes your mind off of work for an extended period of time. An example is something like rock climbing - where you have no choice but to focus on what you're doing on the rocks!
Maya Ben Zid
@aleksdahlberg That's interesting! I never thought of rock climbing! certainly have never done it before but I bet you won't be thinking about anything else while doing such an activity wooh! Great Tip! I'm going to look for some group activity events around my city to do over the weekend! Stay awesome!
Farhan Aslam
Burnout is a genuine problem for anyone who works from home. The isolation is perfect for a routine of lazing around in bed and scrolling through Facebook, usually in between answering work emails. A couple of ways to combat work-from-home burnout are: 1) Take a walk 2) Go to the gym 3) Hang out with friends 4) Schedule a volunteer project 5) Take a vacation 6) Volunteer at your community center 7) Drink more water 8) Use a timer to limit the time you spend on social media Don’t let your work or social life suffer by not trying to get out of the house and into the world.
Maya Ben Zid
@farhan_aslam1 Thank you so much Farhan for listing all of these tips! The world is beautiful and we should appreciate it by going out more often and doing something fun for ourselves when we need it! I am trying to get better day by day and incorporating an extra activity into my routine! Wish you all best!
Ali Naqi Shaheen
Overcoming burnout can be a challenge, but there are many ways to get through it. One approach is to take some time for yourself every day. This could involve doing something you enjoy or spending time with loved ones. You also need to make sure that your work/life balance is correct by setting limits on how long you will work each day and taking breaks accordingly.
Maya Ben Zid
@ali_shaheen You're absolutely right. In the past, I never take breaks or do outside of work activities. So right now, I feel a bit odd when I go out for a walk because at some point that's something I don't normally do so it's going a bit slow but I'm trying to explore things i enjoy that don't remind me of work! Thank you so much for the advice, I really appreciate it Ali!
Andrew C.
BURNOUT is a fact! Ill be honest, as a business owner; i absolutely hate it when someone working says this to me. i dont feel burnout; thats probably coz the company is mine. any way, suggestions for your burnout feeling, do something that you enjoyed at the age of 15. I'm serious, trust me just do it !
Maya Ben Zid
@andrewcanday Hey Andrew, thanks for sharing your thoughts with me! In fact, that's what I used to say about burnout. I never relate to people complaining about it because I never thought that it would hit me one day. But when people see me working day and night, they say errr well you gotta watch out there, the symptoms are flashing! (I would laugh at it) but now, gosh, it's a very I told you so moment... Something I enjoyed doing at the age of 15 hmm that would be reading! That's when I got into reading books actually! Awesome tip! Best luck to you pal!
Sergei Petrov
Oh, actual thread. I just raised the topic of the importance of rest today. https://www.producthunt.com/disc... Most of my friends and myself have experienced burnout. Therefore, it is really very important not to forget to pause and unload, change the type of activity and enjoy life. First of all, normalize your work schedule and give your brain a break. I wish you a speedy return from this terrible state!
Maya Ben Zid
@sergeipetrov Thanks for linking this here! I'm not saying no to double tips XD I'm trying to enjoy life a bit more nowdays and it's been umm FUN Thank you so much for the wishes! Best luck!
Sergei Petrov
@maya_ovice Oh, enjoying life is very important! The most important thing in life is life itself and the feeling that you live, but not work and routine. In addition, happiness inspires growth and development. It also contributes to productive work and a fresh look. I hope our complicity and community support in this discussion will help and encourage you.
Maya Ben Zid
@sergeipetrov Definitely 100%! I honestly did not expect this much support and I was desperate for advice so I'm very thankful that people are trying to help and sharing their personal experiences! It's very inspiring! "Happiness inspires growth", I should keep this in mind :))
Sergei Petrov
@maya_ovice Ah, yes, there are many active people with passion in their eyes here. Surely most recycle and are prone to burnout. I'm sure the discussions here will help them avoid that. So you're not only helping yourself, but the community as a whole. Who knows how many people you will save.😉
Qudsia Ali
The best way to avoid burnout is to step away from the computer when your brain is churning. Taking small breaks, having tea or coffee, or going for a walk always helps me relax and get back to work more enthusiastically.
Maya Ben Zid
@qudsia_ali yeah sometimes a quick escape from my workstation is needed. I think getting some fresh air also helps! It's better than lying down on the floor scrolling on my phone heuh (TMI)
Rich Watson
This is why it's important to take needed breaks. The result of burnout could take more time to get back into the groove or work at all, wasting more time than standard breaks.
Maya Ben Zid
@richw You're right... It feels like you lost your magical touch and picking things up is really hard and slow but you gotta push through and do it anyway! #lessonlearnt
Nicholas Kislinger
Great question! @sarvam I also use POMODORO great suggestion and LOVE Atomic Habit. Motion is a good tool I use (www.Joinmotion.com) to put allot of these things into practice. My way of hitting the reset button when I am burned out is to close my eyes and do a thirty or sixty second breathing practice following this pattern:
Geri Máté
Remote working is mainly difficult because you get to spend the whole day for long periods of time in one place. So my first suggestion is, if you have more rooms at your place, only work in one of them. Keep the other room(s) work-free. No work emails, no work calls, no Slack notifications, nothing. The other suggestion, if you don't have more than one room, is to check co-working offices or hit some coffeeshops occasionally. My 3rd suggestion is to keep challenging yourself at your job.
Maya Ben Zid
@geri_mate Hi Gregely! Thanks for the tips! In my case, I have 1 room and don't have the chance to go to co-working spaces/coffee shop because I live in the countryside but I've been using my kitchen counter as a standing desk lately which has been somewhat fun for me XD
Geri Máté
@maya_ovice Haha, that's one way to shake up your environment, maybe some other parts of new furniture, if you don't have one then a cool coffee machine can help with it
Kate Dalessi
Hey, Maya! Don't worry! It happens to everybody now and then :) My tip- get enough time off to start missing your work. It may take a while, but you'll get back fully motivated, inspired and relaxed. There's always going to be more work. But YOU are the only one.
Maya Ben Zid
@katyaveremeichik Hi Katya! Thank you so much for the support! Since I can't take time off right now, I'm trying to not to go beyond working hours and do something fun instead and I realized I have so much time to do so much that is not work! WHAT!! All this time I took for granted haha but I'm definitely going to be taking a vacation in a few months!
Aliaksandr Kandratsiuk
Definitely real! How to handle with it everybody chooses its own tools and practice.
Maya Ben Zid
@xander_off True! Some things might work for others but not work for you so it's best to try a bunch of things and see how it goes! But never lose hope!
Faiz Imran
Hey Maya, sorry to hear that. What really helped me recover from and avoid burning out again, is journaling and tracking thoughts and feelings throughout the day. It's helped me understand my own limits and learn more about myself overall. I'm more than happy to share my journalling template with you if you are interested in trying it out. Feel free to shoot me an email at faiz@backspacethat.com
Ilya Uglianitsa
Sorry to hear that, Maya. Hope, you will get well soon. I can suggest to use a thing that i call "one good thing today". Basically, at evening you start to think what enjoyable thing you will do for yourself tomorrow. You choose one and make it the next day. For example: "tommorow, i will take this expensive, but seems tasty smoothie". Or "tommorow i will visit spa at the evening". It creates a feeling of anticipation and makes your day more enjoyable. And since burnout is (as far as i know) is chemical disbalance, this slowly gets you on track. At least, this usually works for me. Hope this will help
Artem
I've experienced burnout only once. Here're some tips that helped me: • Know you "Why do I have to do this? • Set Goals and Habits • Understand that growth is exponential + Friendly reminder. Feed your mind with: • Happy music • Positive videos • Great books
Jhanvi
Yes it is. Hi, How are you handling it with family?
Haris Khan
I would recommend you to go through the book Atomic Habits by James Clear to getting life back on track with the power of micro habits. Plus having a better night sleep cutting back on caffeine at least 6 hours before going to bed. Exercising daily even for a short while helps. And being a bit strict about work life balance can do the job in my opinion.