When it's five o'clock, you're exhausted. You drag yourself to work five days a week, knowing that the remaining two days won't be enough to get the energy you need. You work sucks the energy out of you, but it's your job. So what can you do? Here are four ways.
Detox every night
Don't take your work home. Instead, give yourself an evening and weekend break. As you drive or walk away from work, remind yourself, "I'm free!" And if you've promised to help your friends or family, stop it.
Fill up your reserve
When your work drains your energy, you need to fill it up. In addition to the standard strategies — eating a good breakfast, getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water because dehydration makes you feel tired, and exercising for at least twenty minutes every day — know that exercising boosts energy, even if you think "I just can't".
Look at it positively. Write down what your work teaches you about your inner strength, resilience, and ability to make the most of a challenging situation. Focus on the positives in your work situation and the reasons why you feel good in your work. Remind yourself of all the things you do well and determine how you can use your strengths to help you in the challenging parts of your job.
Set boundaries
Even and especially when you have a tiring job, you can decide – so much and no more. What boundaries should you create?
Leave at five or six o'clock every day
Don't take your work home
Let toxic coworkers know when to back off
Set limits to expectations that you, your boss or colleagues have from you
Make a plan
Finally, develop your own plan. What ensures the discharge of energy? Are you burned out and need to find another job or career, even if it means a pay cut? Does your job not suit you, for example are you an introverted person stuck in an extroverted job? Do you work around toxic colleagues? Has overwork overwhelmed you?
Whatever the problem or cause of your loss of energy, make a plan to take back your life. You will immediately feel better as soon as you take action.
