3 Ways to Avoid Burnout, According to a Counsellor

This guest blog post is authored by Minnie Chang. 

It was a late night, around 11 pm, when I decided to close the curtains before heading to bed. However, something outside my window caught my eye—the breathtaking night view of the sprawling city lights. It had been quite some time since I had gazed at this view with a sense of wonder.

As I stood there, mesmerized by the cityscape, I turned to my partner and said, "You know, I used to take weekends off, book the most affordable Airbnb condos, and always made sure they were on the top few floors just so I could enjoy views like this. I can't believe I get to see this every day now."

You see, that's life.

Lately, I have been so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that I had overlooked the beauty of this incredible view. Perhaps I had become so accustomed to it that I failed to appreciate its magnificence.

But this served as a reminder—a reminder that it's human nature to continually desire more, to seek new experiences.

Yet, it's equally important to seize those fleeting moments that affirm that you've created the life you once envisioned or yearned for so dearly.

These moments are when the universe softly whispers, "I'm proud of you."

This is how we strike a balance between pursuing personal growth and acknowledging the growth we've already achieved.

This is the secret to avoiding burnout.

Speaking of burnout, here are my top 3 tips for balancing your routine to prevent burning out.

Practice mindfulness, big or small.

No, I don't mean meditation. Mindfulness can be practiced simply by being aware of your here-and-now. Small steps include leaving your phone outside the shower. Bigger steps involve practicing deep breathing.

Incorporate movement into your day.

Anxiety often accumulates when worries have nowhere to go. When you move your body, whether it's a walk, a workout, or a dance, your body releases happy hormones that boost your mood! Plus, it's a great way for your body to shake off those worry germs.

Document it.

As much as I sometimes cringe at Facebook's reminders of my past, I appreciate how they remind me of how far I've come. I'm not suggesting posting every moment of your life on the internet. Instead, find ways to document small moments and small wins. Ever had that feeling of "I didn't realize I've changed so much"? Document it by writing it down, taking a photo, or simply typing it out in a notepad. You'll never know when you might need that reminder when you stumble upon it at just the right moment.

To learn about Minnie's work and services, please visit Minc.Care or follow her on Instagram.