4 Ways to Manage a Busy Season and Not get Burned Out
It's easy to get overwhelmed when you find yourself in the middle of a busy season. These seasons can be literal seasons, like a holiday season, or maybe a time in your life where everything seems to need your attention. Whether you're at home or at work, there are so many things that need to be done in a short period of time. You're no doubt juggling all kinds of tasks: meeting deadlines, responding to emails and phone calls, managing your house, and trying to stay on top of everything else. All that while having no time for fun or enjoying the present moment. While all those tasks are important, it is also important not to burn yourself out. Here are 4 ways to manage your stress and care for yourself in a busy season!
1. Keep Your Priorities in Mind
One important thing to do when you're busy is to keep your priorities in mind. What are the things that are most important to you? To your family? Your work? We don't have to do all the things all the times. So by mapping out your values and your priorities, it can help lead decision making and help focus where to put your energy. It's easy to become overwhelmed during a busy season, but if you can focus on what needs doing and why it's needed, then many of those tasks will fall into place more easily. If you're working from home or have other responsibilities outside of work, it's also helpful to identify what matters most for those things. It could be helpful to make a list of the important roles you have and map out the priorities in each area.
A few reminders!
Everything doesn't (and likely can't) be a priority all at once. Your priorities may shift back and forth depending on the day or week during this busy season. Slow down and do your best with what your priority is.
Secondly- good enough is good enough. Some things can be a priority and it doesn't mean it has to end up perfect. This can be a hard thing to overcome so it's okay to go slow with small baby steps. Maybe just a gentle reminder each day could be enough to start believing this.
Some tips to help figure out priorities!
Ask yourself if you don't do a task, what might happen because of it?
Some things end up being a priority because there are real consequences. If I don't take the trash out for long periods of time, bugs may come. If I ignore all of my bosses emails and don' communicate to them, they may write me up. Some things, however, don't have major consequences. If I don't tidy up after a long day, sure it might annoy me there is clutter, but thankfully the house will survive. If I take a break between sessions and write my notes the following day, that is okay. So think about your tasks and figure out what really could happen if something isn't done right away.
Think of the amount of time it may take and the energy it would use.
Some tasks may be quick but if a full list is filled with small things, that can also be overwhelming. Some people prefer to get big tasks out of the way while others like to build up. Know what you have the mental and physical energy for and you can do what is best for you. If you end up not having a lot of energy, look at what you can save for later.
Ask for help.
I know this is hard for a lot of people for a variety of reasons. But I promise it can help you survive the busy seasons. It can be scary to give up some control and trust that others will complete the tasks. You may feel guilty or like a bad worker/mom if you can't do it all. These things make you human. We literally do not have the time or energy to be able to do all the things, all the time, with 100 percent energy. So whether it is a partner, your kids, your parents, your pals, a neighbor, etc. see where you can ask for help. If you have the means to do so, you may also be able to hire help. If cleaning is a lot, hire someone. If you need help caring for the kiddos while you work or shop, hire someone. I know that isn't a solution for everyone, but it may be an option for you.
2. Know What You Can Do and What You Can't
When you're juggling a million tasks, it's easy to get caught up in the feeling that you have to do everything. It's also important to know when it's time to say no and let go of some responsibilities. This is especially true when you find yourself taking on too much during busy seasons; if you try to do everything, there's a good chance that you will run out of energy and get burned out.
So how can you tell whether or not you're over-committing yourself? One way is by checking in with yourself regularly: take a look at your calendar and see if anything needs more time or attention than others (if there are projects and assignments that aren't moving along as quickly as expected). If there are home tasks that keep piling up. Get an overview of what your schedule looks like and see if you have enough time to get the things done AND make time for yourself.
Some tips for busy schedules!
Say no to things.
This is another tough one too. We want to do all the parties, events, projects, etc. This pairs well with the tips above because if we can know what our priorities are, then we can say no to things that just don't make the schedule right now.
Schedule time for yourself.
There are times where we are just going to be busy and can't say no to everything. In order to have the energy to get through these things, you need to care for yourself. Even if just a few moments a day, that can make a huge difference in not letting the stress build up.
3. Get Creative With Your Time
A busy season is a great time to take advantage of your resources and get creative with how you manage your time. I am also amazed at how some people figure out how to juggle things and multi task and find solutions that work for them.
Some tips to get creative!
Know if your brain needs to focus on one thing at a time or if you can multi-task.
Some tasks are easier to combine while others require more attention. Listen to your needs. Trust yourself. And don't beat yourself up if one thing isn't working. Often in busy seasons, it is a lot of trial and error to figure out what is best for you.
Include others in your tasks.
When we feel pulled in a million directions try to see if there is any overlap between areas. For example, if I need to move my body but also hang out with the kids, maybe we go for a walk around the block. We can create a creative time block where everyone in the house does something creative whether write, read, draw, paint, etc. Maybe you have family or pal game nights. Again, get creative!
4. Don't Forget to Rest
You can't pour from an empty cup. If the cup is near empty, we need to rest and recharge. That way we can have the energy to keep doing the things we need to do. Where to start?
Sleep is essential to mental health.
So much of our physical and mental health is tied to sleep. It is okay if you aren't getting a full night every night. Just work on getting the most you can and being kind to yourself if there are barriers.
Take time to relax.
Sit on the couch. Play a game. Take a bath. Whatever it is, rest is crucial. It allows our body to recharge and get ready for the next task. Even if for 30 seconds, something is better than nothing.
Don't feel guilty about taking a break.
Your brain needs rest and recovery as much as your body does, so don't try to force yourself into working 24/7 just because it's the busy season. Self-compassion can be a great tool in challenging this inner critic and to release some of the guilt.
You can make it through a busy season without getting completely burned out.
These tools can help manage this busy season so remember to start small and give yourself grace on this journey. You have a lot on your plate but your needs also matter. So if you find yourself getting overwhelmed or stressed out, take some time for yourself—even if that means taking a break from work to do something relaxing.
If you need help putting these tools into action, feel free to schedule a free consult to get some additional help and take care of yourself. You can do that HERE!
Also- for therapists: If you are wanting a more in-depth guide on how to put some of these into action, check out my new workbook for therapists about BUILDING BETTER BOUNDARIES!
Take care of yourself,
Alicia Johnson, LMFT
Online therapist in Ann Arbor, serving Michigan, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Florida!
