Whether you work as a doctor or an interior designer for a company like Classic Home Concepts, workplace burnout is a nearly inevitable part of any job. “Workplace burnout” can best be defined as excessive stress or emotional exhaustion that occurs as a result of your work and your schedule. Workplace burnout can take a major toll on your mental, emotional, and physical health, and can also prevent you from doing your job.

It is estimated that nearly 50% of employees in all industries in the United States report experiencing burnout. This problem might be fairly common, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be avoided. If you’re beginning to experience burnout in the workplace, here are a few tips.

Set Boundaries

Whether you work in person or from home, setting boundaries and creating a clear distinction between your professional and personal life is extremely important. This can be as simple as refusing to do work outside of the office so that you can keep your free time free from thoughts about work or any professional responsibilities, or turning off notifications for work emails or texts while you are out of the office. This will help to ensure that you are getting an adequate break from work each day.

Take Breaks

From taking breaks throughout the workday to taking an extended vacation after the completion of a major project, taking breaks from your work is one of the most important and effective ways to prevent burnout. Taking a few scattered 20-30 minute breaks throughout a long day will help you take some space from your work so you don’t get overwhelmed; additionally, being sure to take vacation or sick days a few times throughout the year will help you maintain a better balance between your personal and professional life and allow you to take some much needed breaks after the completion of major, time consuming tasks and projects.

Don’t Be Afraid to Say “No”

Burnout can come as a result of having too much on your plate and being unable to say no to your employer. While it can be intimidating to say no to certain projects or tasks that are given to you by your employer, it is important to set boundaries and to know when to say “no” in order to prevent yourself from taking on more work than you can handle and risking getting burnt out.