Event professionals are no strangers to burnout. As a matter of fact, event planner is consistently high up on the list of most stressful jobs. But when you add the pressure of having to readjust to remote work, a global pandemic, the shifting tides of the industry, and the approaching holidays, it all becomes too much. And right now, every single human being around the world is struggling in the face of these exact same issues. So what to do?
Now more than ever, we must pay attention to our mental health. An often disregarded yet vital part of existence, mindfulness has never been as important as it is today. There’s no need to despair in face of stressful and anxiety-inducing situations, though. While it’s always recommended that you consult with a specialist, there are small things you can do to improve your life and cultivate inner peace. In the spirit of togetherness as an industry, here’s how to avoid burnout in these odd times.
Keep A Regular Schedule
For many people, having to adjust to working from home has been especially tough. Having a set time to arrive at the office and people to talk to throughout the day is an environment where many people thrive. But a return to this level of normalcy isn’t an option for everyone just yet, and many still struggle with finding the right balance.
Thankfully, here at Endless, we’re experts in the field of remote work. For years, our team has been working from home, and we have several employees spread across the world. You can head out to this episode of #EventIcons if you’d like to know more about how our team does it! However, the most important thing is that you have discipline and keep a regular schedule during the week. When working from home, it’s very easy to either work too much or not enough. Having a series of little tasks that you do every day at the same time helps you find that much-need balance and reach a sense of normalcy.
But Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself
Articles that teach you how to avoid burnout might fail to recommend this, but we still believe it’s important to keep in mind. Right now, the world as we knew it has been completely turned upside down. Things we took for granted have come to a halt and no one saw it coming. So remember that, at the end of the day, we’re all in this together.
If there’s a day where you didn’t accomplish every single thing on your to-do list, don’t beat yourself up over it. Of course, we’re not advising you to slack off completely. But some days, motivation might be harder to come across than others. And if there’s a task that can wait until tomorrow that you’ll be able to dedicate more time and energy to, that’s okay. It really is.
Squeeze In Some Exercise
Even if gyms around you are closed right now, it’s still important to get your body moving. Exercise is a vital part of life regardless of what’s happening in the world. It keeps you healthy, prolongs your lifespan, and everything doctors have been telling you your whole life. But it’s also key to remember that working out produces a ton of feel-good chemicals in your brain that keep stress at bay and promote happiness.
There’s a lot you can do at home with bags of rice or just your body weight. Not to mention all the great walks and runs you can take outside! And on a similar note, make sure you’re feeding your body good food and nutrients. Obviously, there was a point in quarantine when we just poured ice cream into bowls of pasta. While it’s okay – and healthy! – to indulge, it’s also paramount to honor the needs of the amazing machines that are your body and mind.
Pay Attention To Small Joys
Next on the list of how to avoid burnout is something…small. Because if there’s one thing this pandemic has taught us, is that we should take nothing for granted. In a world so consumed by screens, technology, and the search for instant gratification, it’s easy to become numb to small things that make life worth living. Sure, right now we can’t fly to Cabo for two weeks or party in Coachella.
But we can appreciate the beauty of the sunset and the smell of freshly baked cookies in our kitchen. We can enjoy a good cup of coffee in the morning and fresh sheets in our bed. While it’s hard to see the good in life as everything seems to be burning around us, it’s not impossible. And not only is it not impossible, but it’s also vital for our sanity.
Connect With Others
The feeling of isolation can become all-consuming. But as professionals in an industry that thrives on promoting human connection, we must make an active effort to translate this into our personal lives as well. As we mentioned above, everyone is going through very similar troubles – and people will be more open than you think to have others reach out to them.
Grab a coffee with an old friend or give that old college pal a ring. Human connection is still the single most important thing in everyone’s lives. And even if we can’t do it the same way as before, it’s still critical that we do it.
Be Open About Your Feelings
Keeping up with the theme of connecting, make sure you talk to someone you can be honest with. This can be a friend, a family member, or a therapist. Even if you’re not one to talk too much or feel like you don’t want to bother other people, the simple act of exteriorizing how you feel goes a long way. The weight of the entire world doesn’t have to rest on your shoulders alone.
Remember That Nothing Lasts Forever
Not even bad stuff and sad moments. All of the things that are causing you so much stress and anxiety will eventually pass. But right now, there’s nothing more we can do than just wait it out and try to use this time as a learning experience, a series of opportunities to become more in touch with ourselves and others.
There’s always something good coming out of a nasty situation. Maybe it will be a newfound appreciation for small moments. Or maybe it will be diving deeper into a relationship you thought was merely superficial. Whatever it is, do it at your own rhythm, in your own time, and with continuous gratitude for what you still have.
Conclusions
If you were trying to learn more about how to avoid burnout, hopefully, this was a helpful piece. Times like these are trying, and we’re very well aware of that. Take these tips and make them your own. Plus, if you have any other amazing ways that work for you when it comes to avoiding burnout, let us know!
