Preventing burnout: how to avoid the maximum state of exhaustion

Many people who are affected by burnout only realize it at a very late stage. In order to effectively counteract the development of this far-reaching state of exhaustion, efficient self-reflection and comprehensive prevention are required - and as early as possible.

Immer mehr Deutsche leiden unter den Symptomen eines Burnouts.© iStock
We reveal how burnout can be prevented.

There are some effective measures and methods that can counteract burnout in the long term. However, some of these go hand in hand with major changes in your private and professional life. Your own attitude to life also plays a not insignificant role in burnout prevention.

The following article shows which tips are particularly effective when it comes to preventing burnout.

Maintain a healthy distance from work

Almost every job has certain working conditions that repeatedly cause stress. For this reason, it is essential to keep reminding yourself of your personal principles and to strictly adhere to them.

This can include, for example, not being available by phone or email at certain times. Many people also first have to learn to hand over tasks. It is by no means absolutely necessary to do everything yourself. Taking sufficient breaks also plays an important role. These should never be seen as wasted time.

The illness is characterized by different phases of burnout. The early phases in particular are often not noticed or recognized as such. However, the feeling of chronic stress or an increasingly negative attitude towards work can already be the first signs that it is time to change something.

Don't strive for perfectionism

Constantly pushing yourself to perform at your best can be extremely exhausting in the long run. What's more, no one can act perfectly and flawlessly at all times.

Preventing burnout therefore also involves admitting this to yourself and finally putting aside the belief that you always have to be perfect.

Learning to say no

Regardless of whether it is in a private or professional context: It is of great importance to learn to say no. This is not a negative or unfriendly behavior, but simply a healthy setting of important boundaries.

People who are unable to do this are putting themselves at great risk and often feel dissatisfied in their lives. Your own needs are always justified and must not be constantly ignored in favor of others.

Consciously plan for recovery

In order to effectively reduce the risk of burnout, it is also very important to take targeted measures to compensate for stress in your free time. This can take many different forms, whether it is rest at home, activities with friends or sporting activities.

Sufficient sleep is also part of conscious recovery. This has a major impact on both physical and mental health.

Use targeted relaxation techniques

Our thoughts are often spinning incessantly throughout the day. This can be very stressful.

Targeted relaxation techniques, such as meditation, autogenic training or yoga, can be helpful.

Do endurance sports

Endurance sports also play an important role in reducing stress. Strenuous physical activity leads to a normalization of the stress hormone system.

In addition, the typical symptoms caused by too much stress can also be reduced through exercise. In this context, experts recommend doing endurance sports at least three times a week for around 30 minutes.