The social media addiction epidemic is here and it’s real. With adults spending upwards of 11 hours per day watching, listening, working and taking in media on the internet and social media platforms, it’s no wonder we feel alone. As a population, we overwork ourselves because our phones are always in reach. There is always something to look at, something to tweet at and someone to send an email to. We forget to take time for ourselves to ensure wellbeing. Some people will even continue pushing past that point of burnout exhaustion, and that’s when health complications like panic attacks can occur.

Burnout has become somewhat of an inevitability. But there are ways to curb burnout and if you’re smart, prevent it all together. Here are some tried and true ways of preventing burnout:

Meditation:

Meditation, when practiced on a regular basis can effectively turn off the fight-or-flight response and turn on the parasympathetic nervous system which will allow you to truly relax. By meditating every day, your body will begin to be less reactive to stress triggers around you. Suddenly when you receive a troubling email or if you’re stuck in a traffic jam, with meditation, your nervous system can remain cool and collected. Try a guided meditation online or meditation music to really give you those chill vibes.

Boundaries:

Another way to deal with burnout is to establish boundaries. Establishing boundaries means not being available for calls or emails 24 hours a day. It means to switch off your phone and computer when you’re around friends and family. And to say “no” when you know you won’t have time to do a certain task at work. It may be difficult to start saying no to your boss, but once you do it a few times, it will become apart of your regular work life. Try talking to your boss about shutting of communications after 7pm for two weeks as a trial period. You might see that they’re more open to it than you think.

Rest and Relax:

The number one way of preventing and treating burnout is rest. But this doesn’t mean “resting” in front of your computer, it means to engage in high quality rest. By giving yourself enough space and time have some guilt-free rest, you’re allowing your brain to recharge properly and recover from the mental breakdown that comes along with overwork. By setting boundaries, and turning off devices and computers, your mind will settle into a natural state of relaxation. Try reading a book, painting, walking in nature or spending time with family friends to ensure for high quality rest.

Acupuncture and Body Work:

Another great way to treat burnout is through acupuncture and massage. Acupuncture can target meridian points and muscle trigger points that will help your body to relax. It also works by allowing energy to flow throughout your meridians, promoting healing and wellness. Massage therapy can treat muscle pain and tension relating to burnout and will promote the high quality rest you need.