I’ve put together a few dot points in response to several requests for a positive approach to dealing with burnout. All comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

Put temporary boundaries in place

• Get a proper break – press pause
• No major decisions
• No new responsibilities
• Suspend contact with work
• Minimal screen time
• Recommended: suspend use of social media

Receive love

• Be with those you love without distraction
• Listen deeply
• Allow time for conversations to develop naturally – don’t force it
• Be vulnerable enough to ask for what you need

Care for your physical health (N.E.W.S.)

• Nutrition – eat healthy, modest amounts regularly
• Exercise – at least an hour a day
• Water – at least 2 litres a day
• Sleep – at least 7 hours and enough that you don’t need an alarm

Reflective practice

• Prayer – simply be with God, only speak when you have something you want to say
• Document your reflections where possible, review and edit progressively
• Revisit your values – the ‘why?’ question
• Consider what you want to do with your life and how that fits with your role
• Identify sources of stress, put them in perspective and develop ways to deal with them

Ease back in

• Work in defined time periods
• Resist pressure to respond quickly – buy time
• Share the load more than you did previously
• Confront graciously – appropriate assertiveness
• Do things that restore your soul

Review the signs of progress

• Laughter becomes more spontaneous
• Interest in people increases
• Positive reaction to interruptions
• Compulsive behaviour abates
• Creativity / fresh ideas come again
• Concentration span increases
• Better able to cope with complexity and ambiguity
• Future orientation
• Generosity wells up
• Patience in the face of irritation
• Feeling of resentment abates
• Sense of gratitude rises
• Joy and peace rises