LESS STRESS, MORE HYGGE

(6 ways to avoid the burnout)

Move aside, move aside, move aside, make room, make room, make room, we are in an incredible hurry. We have to run, fly, fall, get up and keep going!! We can't stay still any longer, we can't stay still any longer!! Ah, you really should hear me sing sometime. Then my message (that we are all quite stressed) would surely resonate with you even better. Look, in the end, I chose a flashy career in writing – duly noted – but a singing career was actually among the possibilities. I can really sing VERY well. So well that people always look very gloomy when I start. Because of the jealousy and such.

Anyways, what I want to talk about should be clear: it's time for us hasty, hysterically stressed children of humanity to hit the brakes for a moment. I mean, this can't go on like this any longer, right? There's nothing fun about this anymore? We have become en masse entangled in a series of activities in the (mutual) struggle for more, better, cooler, harder, more awesome. Moreover, we are always ‘on’ because of social media. Emails, messages, and DMs pop into our lives day and night – it's damn impossible to keep up. There’s always something that needs to be done. I'm telling you: if we keep this up, we'll all be out of it in no time.
And that's why, dear people, it's high time we collectively take the following six tips into account. Six tips that will keep us far away from burnout in 2017. Six tips that you can really benefit from, because just to be clear: I have stood on the edge of the abyss myself and I know all about tips that are useless. Like that you have to get up every morning at 6:00 AM for sixteen complicated exercises. Kudos to everyone who does that and it will surely be great and everything, but maintaining something like that is a different story.

1. Take regular breaks.

I'm talking about both big and small breaks. Starting with the bigger break: dare to hit the brakes when you feel it's enough for a moment. A month ago, for example, I arranged a break of two weeks because I felt that it was all becoming too much. Because I felt I needed some time to take stock and see what needed to come off my plate. It was a bit difficult to say, but people really appreciate it when you are honest and clear about how you are doing. It actually comes across as strong (even if you don't think so). It's better to take a step back immediately than to keep pushing through – because if you then crash, the road to recovery is a lot longer.

At the same time, small breaks are also important: it's tempting to stay behind your computer all day when it's busy, but it's really better to take a step back during the workday every now and then. Research also shows that people who go outside during lunch are more productive than those who eat their sandwich or salad at their desk.

2. Social Media Shut Down.

This sounds scary, but um: leave your phone in your bag (or better yet: at home) when you meet up with friends. This way, you experience a meeting much more: the conversations become more genuine, better, and longer. Admittedly, it all sounds extremely cliché, but hey: some clichés aren't that bad. You really gain a lot of energy from real contact. You know what is also lovely in the context of the social media shut down? Hygge! The relaxation secret of the Danes.

3. Say fuck it.

Oh yes, this one is also very important, and believe me: it's delightful! It applies to many things in life. Say fuck it to what others think of you, say fuck it to having to post something on Instagram every day, say fuck it to the umpteenth networking event you really have to attend, say fuck it to a promotion if it doesn't feel right deep down in your heart, say fuck it to always having to be the first everywhere blablabla. Believe me, it's an extreme liberation. It's wonderful to free yourself from things that don't give you energy but only cost you energy. And all the people who think something (stupid) about that, you just say fuck it to them too. In the context of ’those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind’. You know.

4. Reserve your evenings for yourself.

Huh? Yes, it's really there. Turn off your computer at 6:00 PM and do something else than hanging behind your laptop. It's very tempting to keep plowing through (I've experienced that this gives a fake sense of control), but nine times out of ten you think the next morning: what the hell did I do? Or worse: who on earth did this? Oh, it was me. This also applies to weekends: then you do NOT check emails. LOVELY.

5. Read a book or a magazine.

I think the following situation is very recognizable for everyone: you buy a magazine or a book because it was in a trendy concept store, you sit down on the couch with it and… you pick up your phone. That's what I mean: had a nice evening?? Read your book? No, right? Of course, you always have to check Amayzine for a bit haha, but after that, the advice is: read a book, grab that magazine and read some letters that are on real paper. You'll feel very zen, really.

6. Take a course that has nothing to do with your career.

Can be very refreshing! The School of Life organizes amazing (philosophical) courses; from ‘How to be more creative’ to ‘How to make a difference’ and ‘Peace in your mind’. It's wonderful to step out of your daily cocoon/rut, through these kinds of things you really start to see everything in a broader perspective again. You will (also through the new people you will meet there) notice that there is more than the world you are currently in. It makes you not so quickly blind to your work, to the things that are happening there, and it really helps you feel a bit freer and less stressed.

Well, I'm off!

This time indeed no knee-slapper. Except for that bit about my singing talents then.