Steps To Avoid Burnout

The month of May and burnout - the two can often go hand in hand. What started as a fresh endeavor in August or September may have become a wearisome burden by May.

Getting the kids out the door for school with hair combed, shoes tied and lunches made is wearing pretty thin now that you’ve been doing it for 8 months (that’s 240 days, 5,760 hours, or 345,600 minutes!). You home schoolers are often in the home stretch, as well. Following through on lesson plans, keeping the kids on task, and driving them to their various activities may have become a lesson in perseverance.

Many of you are holding down a job, volunteering at church or at school, as well as trying to have some energy left for your family at the end of the day.

If you’ve had to add a recent move to these daily responsibilities, you’ve especially needed God’s strength and mercy. What can you do that will help you to hang in there and finish well? We’d like to offer some helpful suggestions to prevent the burnout that threatens to leave you in ashes.

1. Spend Time In God’s Word Each Day
This is your greatest source of encouragement as well as a terrific compass to keep you headed in the right direction.

2. Build In Quiet Moments To Your Day
Make yourself a priority. The work will always be there.
Read: Steal A Little Time For Yourself (go now )

3. Get Outside!
Even if only for a little while.

4. Get Regular Exercise
You’ll have so much more energy for everything else!

5. Eat Well
Fast food and quick microwave dinners will disappoint your energy needs. Take time each week to plan some healthy meals. Keep a supply of tasty and healthy snacks in your home.

6. Focus Your Attention
When family members are talking to you, stop what you’re doing and look them in the eyes. Eye contact lets people know that they're important.

7. Do Something That You Love
Let the dirty dishes sit for a while!

8. Separate Worries From Concerns
If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety.

9. Talk To God On The Spot
Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

10. Stay Rested
As often as possible, get 8 hours of sleep each night. You may feel that 'burning your candle at both ends' sheds more light; after all, there are two flames for illumination; however, your candle will melt twice as fast and a pile of wax is of little use.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. - Isaiah 40:28-30

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:30-32

The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
- Isaiah 50:3-5

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. - Jeremiah 31:24-26