In 2025, let’s commit to a new beginning: banishing burnout and finding balance. As someone who has walked the difficult path from burnout to balance, I’m here to share my journey and strategies for individuals and organizations looking to end burnout at work.

My Personal Realization and Change

Several years ago, I found myself trapped in a cycle of negativity and stress while working in the high-pressure oil and gas industry. To cope, I leaned heavily on unhealthy patterns, including the use of alcohol to manage anxiety and overwhelm. One day, I realized the toll this was taking on my well-being and decided I couldn’t go on living that way. I needed to make a change, not just for myself, but for my family and future.

That decision sparked the creation of Life Force Wellness, a company dedicated to helping individuals and organizations prevent burnout and rediscover balance. Through coaching programs and workshops, I’ve been able to turn my personal struggles into solutions that transform lives and workplaces.

The Burnout Crisis

Burnout is not just a personal challenge—it’s a widespread crisis. In 2018, 66% of U.S. workers reported experiencing burnout. By 2021, that figure had surged to 79%. Defined by the World Health Organization as “an occupational syndrome caused by chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed,” burnout manifests in devastating ways both physically and mentally.

Burnout doesn’t just harm individuals; it affects entire teams and organizations. Absenteeism, reduced productivity, and turnover are common symptoms of workplace burnout, costing companies billions annually.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Burnout

Understanding the signs of burnout is the first step to combating it. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Absenteeism

• Emotional exhaustion

• Avoidance and feelings of dread

• Feeling ineffective

• Higher sensitivity to feedback

• Snapping at others or angry outbursts

• Resentment

• Digestive and sleep issues

If you or your team members exhibit these symptoms, it’s time to act.

Strategies to Combat Burnout

To banish burnout, I advocate for practical, actionable strategies that foster resilience and balance. Here are three key approaches:

1. STOP and Audit

• The STOP method means “Stop, Take a breath, Observe, Proceed.” Step back and remove yourself, if possible, when faced with a stressful situation. This might mean going for a walk or finding a quiet space to reflect.

• Focus on your breathing to center yourself.

• Audit your emotional and physical reactions. Reflect on what happened, how it made you feel, and how you can address it constructively.

2. Know Your Stress, Spin Your Stress

• Self-reflection helps engage the prefrontal cortex, enabling you to reframe stress responses. Often, we overreact or overgeneralize, leading to “never” or “always” statements (e.g., “This always happens” or “They never understand”).

• I use cognitive behavior therapies to reframe these negative thoughts and replace them with balanced perspectives. For instance, instead of avoiding a challenging colleague, consider having a constructive conversation to understand their viewpoint better.

3. Set Healthy Boundaries

• People-pleasing and overcommitting are surefire ways to invite burnout. Learning to say “no” politely yet firmly is crucial.

• Examples of setting boundaries include:

• “I’m sorry. I wish I could, but I can’t.”

• “I’m not available right now, but I can meet at 3 PM.”

• For managers, ask about prioritization if your workload becomes unmanageable.

A Call to Action

Burnout is preventable, and balance is achievable. Whether you’re an individual seeking change or an organization striving to create a healthier workplace, it begins with recognizing the importance of mental health. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself is essential to supporting your community, your team, and your family.

Ready to take the first step? Try our Life Balance Assessment here - https://lifeforcewellness.com/balance to get real-time results and uncover which areas of your life need attention so you can overcome burnout.

For personalized guidance, book a free consultation call with us at https://calendly.com/lfwellness/30min. Learn more about our services by visiting www.lifeforcewellness.com.

In 2025, let’s commit to banishing burnout and embracing balance. Together, we can create a culture of wellness where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.