Buffers Prevent Burnout
Buffers: the Perfect Ritual to Close Your Day & Help Avoid Burnout
Americans are quitting their jobs at record rates; there were 4.5 million resignations in November 2021 alone. The media is calling this period “The Great Resignation” and women are quitting at rates higher than men.
There are, of course, so many factors contributing to these numbers - both positive and negative. Some workers quit their jobs because they know their worth and are transitioning to jobs with better pay and benefits, while others quit due to health concerns or childcare needs. Whatever the reason, we need to address the problem of burnout and buffers are a great tool to help you.
In their "Women in the Workplace" report, McKinsey & Company and Lean In found that women are experiencing burnout at much higher rates than men. One in three women said they considered either leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers in 2021. Professional women are taking more medical leave to cope with stress, exhaustion, and burnout.
Long-term fixes for this include wide-sweeping changes such as universal childcare, paid maternity/paternity leave, a higher minimum wage, etc. But these take time and you need help with burnout now.
I'm here to help you connect with your voice in a powerful and effective way. I believe that how we use our voices in our daily lives directly impacts the rights we have and the way we're treated as a community in the world at large. As the workplace is changing, I encourage you to use your voice to advocate for yourself and to speak out about what you need. That could mean asking for a raise or reaching out to your support network more often.
However, there are times when changes can’t be made or stress is just part of the job. How do you manage your energy in those instances and avoid burning out?
I recommend creating a buffer at the end of your workday to consciously disengage and shift your energy so you can properly relax and recharge.
What does consciously disengaging look like? The first rule of a buffer is to keep it simple.
Say or write down a mantra that you connect to
Listen to an end of the workday playlist
Get physical! Do 10 jumping jacks or take a walk around the block
Whatever your buffer is, remember to do it on purpose and remind yourself why you are doing it.
This is your ritual to transition out of work mode.
I use rituals like this for all the different transitions in my life including my RITUAL: Release + Renew workshop that I host as we move through the seasons of the year.
The first RITUAL workshop of 2022 is March 26th where we will reflect on the first three months of the year and set intentions for the months ahead. It is a time to retreat, go inward, and tap into some of that energy you've been giving everyone else. For the first time, we have 2022 RITUAL passes available which enable you to join us for every RITUAL event this year.
I look forward to seeing you there.