How Women Can Avoid Work Burnout

2. Learn how to “manage up.” A dysfunctional office dynamic is one of the leading causes of burnout, and issues with a superior are the most stressful. Learning how to “manage up” will help you deal with a boss who is mean, hypercritical or insecure as well as help you figure out the most effective way to reach her expectations. Read our how-to guide.

3. Realize it’s OK to say no. Employees who try to be everything to everyone and are always working to their most-efficient max are extremely at risk for burnout. Additionally, the worst thing you can do for your career is to overpromise and under-deliver, says expert and Great on the Job author Jodi Glickman. There’s a right and a wrong way to say no, though. Learn the difference, and when to draw the line.

4. Quit comparing yourself We all have that one Facebook friend who seems to have three months of vacation time, the money to spend those months traipsing across Europe and the Abercrombie-model fiance she’s traipsing with. Forget her. While healthy comparisons can help you determine exactly what your goals are, “comparisonitis” will ruin your finances and your happiness as you endlessly try to keep up with or one-up your friends or family members. Think you’re suffering from comparisonitis? Here’s how to tell.

5. Make sure you take your vacation days Americans will give up roughly 226 million vacation days this year. Don’t be one of them. One report found that 48% of workers felt happier and more positive about their workplaces after taking a vacation. Since feeling cynical about your office is one of the key causes of burnout, taking a vacation is an easy (and fun … and potentially margarita-filled …) way to keep yourself going.