Did you realise that stress and burnout are not the same and you can’t just push through burnout and cure it by taking a holiday, slowing down or working fewer hours.

Burnout is diagnosed by four symptoms:

1. Feelings of energy depletion, exhaustion and fatigue
2. Increased mental distance from your job
3. Feelings of negativity related to your job
4. Reduced professional effectiveness

Here are some 5 key strategies to recover from burnout:

1. Look after yourself - Many people think they can push through burnout, but plenty of rest and relaxation is key. Slow down, ‘listen’ to your body.by having a healthy diet, more sleep, and engage in slower activities such as listening to relaxing music, reading or having regular exercise.
2. Take a break - Taking a short five or ten break throughout the day to stretch, go for a walk or have something to eat and drink can be enough to recharge and focus your thoughts.
3. Set boundaries - Work-life balance is essential, especially if you take work home. Make sure, if you do choose to work at home, you have a designated work space that doesn’t impact on others and that you can remove yourself from ‘at the end of the day’.
4. A place to let go - It is important to talk. It helps to have a shoulder to lean on who understands the situation. Sometimes that could be a colleague or a close friend who is under similar pressures.
5. Get support - Your first responsibility is to yourself make others, including line managers, about how you are feeling. Seeking professional help is essential if symptoms worsen or after you’ve tried the above strategies. Take advantage of counselling and other support programs that your school offers.

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