It’s normal to feel some work-related stress from time to time, but if it goes on too long, you may be at risk of burnout. Rates of burnout have been on the rise for a number of years, and the problem doesn’t seem to be getting better. As such, it’s important for employees to take a proactive approach to minimising the risk of burnout, especially if they work in a high-stress industry.
You can do several things to keep burnout at bay or to control symptoms when they present themselves. One of the best, most effective methods is to start a sporting activity, which also has the added benefit of getting you into tip-top physical condition. In this post, we’ll run through some of the signs of burnout, as well as run through some of the many ways that exercise can help.
Symptoms of Burnout
One of the dangers of burnout is its often slow development. Everyone can handle a single day of stress, but if it becomes part of your working life, you’ll eventually begin to feel the effects. As such, being aware of the signs of burnout is your best chance at avoiding the worst of the condition. As soon as you notice symptoms, it’ll be important to take decisive action, such as changing your relationship to work and starting a sporting activity. So what are the symptoms? First, understand that burnout relates to feelings of physical and mental exhaustion. It’s a feeling of depletion and can often manifest itself as low energy, low confidence, anxiety, fatigue, and difficulty in concentrating.
One of the reasons why sport is so effective is that it’s relatively easy to get started. You can get any sportswear and equipment you need by using JD Sports discount codes, join a group, and simply make it a part of your routine. Within a few weeks, you’ll notice that you’ll feel a lot better. Now that we have an understanding of work burnout, let’s look at how starting a sporting activity can help.
It Improves Mental Well-Being
Working up a sweat has long been known to improve mental well-being. Indeed, the mental benefits are often why people go to the gym in the first place. Part of the reason why it works is because working out releases endorphins, which is a happiness hormone. It can also help to control your cortisol levels, lowering symptoms of stress. The good part of this is that you can get the benefits almost immediately. If you go for a long run and round it off with a cold shower, you’ll naturally have given your body some of the good stuff that it needs to be happy and at ease.
It Directs Your Mind
It can be hard to focus on anything else when you feel stressed. If you’re continually focused on your work performance, then you’ll probably find it difficult to switch off even when you’re out of work. When you engage in a sport, you don’t have the option of worrying about your work performance. You’ll be entirely focused on doing your best at the game you’re playing. For example, if play football, your mind will be redirected for that hour while you’re playing, offering a sweet reprieve from what you’ve been thinking about.
It Offers Stress-Free Socialisation
Spending time with others is a great way to unwind, provided that they’re not your workmates. By joining a sports team, you can enjoy socialising in a way that has nothing to do with the corporate world. You’d be surprised at how much time spent with like-minded people who don’t put pressure on you—besides doing your best on the pitch—can do for your mental well-being.
It Can Improve Sleep
Struggling to get a full night of sleep can make it more difficult to work well, which in turn makes burnout worse. A well-rested body is essential for being at your best. By engaging in sports, you can improve your sleep, since your body will naturally be tired. If possible, try to do your exercise outside since that’ll help with your internal sleep clock.
It Provides a New Perspective
Finally, engaging in sports can offer a new perspective. When you’re going through burnout, your work life can feel all-consuming. By playing sports, you’ll be reminding yourself that there’s more to life than work, and that can sometimes be all you need to relax a little.
Image Credits: Pixabay
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