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    How to Avoid Burning Out at Work

    By | Work + Money – Wed, Apr 11, 2012 1:46 PM EDT

    How to Avoid Burning Out at WorkHow to Avoid Burning Out at WorkStop whatever you're doing right now and take a deep breath. Make that a few deep breaths. Before your brain goes completely on the fritz, ask yourself these questions: When was the last time I took a real lunch? What about leaving on time? And when was my last vacation? If the answer to any of the above is "I don't know," it's time to start putting yourself first and get your priorities straight -- and to realize they're your priorities to set.

    Plus: Stop Being Perfect!

    Here are steps you can take to make sure you're setting healthy boundaries at work.

    1. Start with getting outside for your entire lunch break. "When you change your geography and get some fresh air, you change your thinking," says Carol Ross, a career coach based in the Denver area. Ross recommends taking a midday walk or run -- even if that means eating at your desk later. Not only will exposure to natural sunlight boost your mood, it will get you out of your head by engaging all your senses and possibly triggering new and creative ideas.

    2. Next, know when to call it quits for the day. Working mothers and fathers have a built-in excuse to leave work on time; those who don't have kids can find it challenging to turn off the computer at a reasonable hour. To create some structure, Ross suggests scheduling an activity right after work -- a yoga class or a date with a friend -- to get you out the door on time.

    Plus: 7 Strategies to Regain Control of Your Day

    3. Once you do get home, put away your BlackBerry, email, and cell phone, collectively known as the electronic leash -- at least for a little while. "This sense of urgency is self-imposed," Ross says. "Very few 'emergencies' can't wait until the next day."

    4. Lastly, take that vacation. Studies show that people who take regular vacations are less likely to have heart attacks, and they also report lower levels of stress and depression; they even have happier marriages.

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