How Women Can Avoid Work Burnout

6. Develop your interests and hobbies outside of the office. Is your self-worth and identity based solely on your work? If so, you’re highly at risk for burnout. Devoting time to your interests and hobbies outside of the office will make you a happier and more well-rounded individual. If you can’t remember the last time you indulged in a hobby, think back to what you enjoyed as a child or teen. Consider joining a sports team, picking up a foreign language or volunteering.

7. Take breaks. As we said earlier, we don’t think women’s reluctance to take breaks is the primary cause of burnout, but it definitely doesn’t help. Take the time to recharge during the day. Pause your work to help you maintain good eyesight, or take a walk to help you stay in shape, even when you don’t have time to hit the gym. Alternatively, ask a co-worker out to coffee. Establishing positive relationships at the office will make you happier and help you live longer. (Seriously … science says so.)

8. Take time to evaluate your career path. If you’ve been chugging along on the same path for a long time and are feeling signs of burnout, take the time to consider your career. Have your values changed since you started in your profession? Or is it that the values of your particular company or employer have changed? Are you not being sufficiently challenged -- or are you overburdened? To help you figure out whether it’s time for you to change jobs or professions, or go back to grad school, check out our free Build Your Career bootcamp, which will help you figure out the next step that’s right for you and your long-term goals.