Ever felt like burnout is an unbeatable foe plaguing your professional life? In our latest post, gain valuable insights from distinguished professionals such as a CEO and founder and a psychologist. Hear from experts as they cover topics from developing mindfulness practices to adopting mental resilience strategies. Discover seven expert insights designed to help turn burnout into a manageable challenge.
- Develop Mindfulness Practices
- Realign Strategies with a Life Coach
- Set Clear Priorities
- Refine Work-Life Boundaries
- Explore Techniques for Stress Management
- Provide Supportive Listening
- Adopt Mental Resilience Strategies
Develop Mindfulness Practices
A few years ago, I found myself unable to sleep properly, juggling too many priorities, and struggling to stay focused—a classic burnout pattern. I decided to see a therapist specializing in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and we developed simple daily practices that allowed me to reclaim my mental space. The biggest lesson was learning how to tune in to my own needs without feeling guilty about it.
The therapist taught me simple mindfulness exercises and breathing techniques that I could incorporate into my daily routine, which helped me stay present and reduce anxiety. These small, consistent changes created space in my mind, allowing me to approach my work with a clearer perspective. It was a reminder that mental health requires active maintenance, much like physical health.
Alari Aho
CEO and Founder, Toggl Inc
Realign Strategies with a Life Coach
Balancing life as a mother, a wife, and a CEO of MissTourist.com, my travel blog, I hit a wall of burnout a few years ago. The signs were clear—loss of passion, constant fatigue, and a feeling of being overwhelmed by the challenges of managing my very-ambitious business and personal goals. I sought professional assistance from a life coach, who helped me realign my priorities and find a healthier work-life balance.
With weekly sessions, we worked on various strategies, like delegating tasks to my remote team, setting realistic goals, and allocating “me-time” in my schedule. It was during these sessions that I was introduced to mindfulness and meditation—tools that I’ve been using since then to help me manage stress and avoid reaching the point of burnout. Today, I feel more empowered, and I run my business in a way that also allows me to take care of my well-being.
Yulia Saf
Founder, Miss Tourist
Set Clear Priorities
I decided to seek professional help through counseling and therapy sessions when I started feeling overwhelmed managing my EdTech business and remote team. The constant pressure of wearing multiple hats—making strategic decisions, supporting my team across different time zones, and pushing for growth—made it hard to separate work and personal time. Before I knew it, the stress was impacting my mental health.
Therapy helped me unpack what was really driving my burnout, like my tendency toward perfectionism and hesitation to delegate tasks. My therapist guided me in setting clearer priorities, creating boundaries, and establishing healthier routines that included self-care and regular breaks. Over time, I was able to change those unhealthy habits, regain my balance, and adopt a more sustainable mindset for running my business.
Stefano Lodola
Founder & Course Author, Think Languages
Refine Work-Life Boundaries
Navigating through a demanding career in finance, I too experienced burnout. Aware of its effects on my performance and well-being, I enlisted the help of a corporate stress-management coach.
Over several months, the coach worked with me to refine my work-life boundaries, manage my time better, and incorporate routine exercises into my daily life to manage stress. Recognizing signs of burnout and seeking professional help was a turning point. The coach’s advice equipped me better to balance demanding roles and mitigate workplace stressors. This experience has not only improved my well-being but also resulted in enhanced productivity at work.
Today, I apply the principles learned within my team, fostering an environment conducive to a balanced work-life equation.
David Chen
Director of Finance, Srlon
Explore Techniques for Stress Management
There was a time in my career when the combination of planning strategic campaigns and performing routine tasks felt overwhelming, leading to burnout. In dealing with this, I sought the help of a professional coach who specialized in stress management. This individual guided me to explore mindfulness techniques, including meditation and intentional breaks throughout the day, specifically designed to reduce work-related stress.
I also started delegating more tasks to my team, an approach that not only alleviated my workload but also empowered my team to take on new responsibilities. This professional assistance was an excellent resource, not only aiding me in managing my stress levels more effectively but also enhancing my leadership skills in the process.
Mary Lopez
Marketing Manager, Trusted Wedding Gown
Provide Supportive Listening
I’ve seen people come in when they’re just done, like they can’t keep going. What I do is listen, because sometimes they just need to talk, to get it out. It’s not just the work, it’s everything piling up, and they don’t feel like they can handle it anymore.
So, we talk about ways to make it easier, like setting up small things that give them space to breathe again. It’s about finding ways to help them feel more like themselves, you know? Sometimes, just having that support, someone who gets it, can make all the difference.
Zita Chriszto
Licensed Psychologist, Dubai Psychology
Adopt Mental Resilience Strategies
When I started my business, I was the jack-of-all-trades. I was handling everything from managing the books to taking calls, and even going out on jobs myself. At first, it felt empowering—like I had complete control. But after a while, it caught up with me. The constant pressure and non-stop pace wore me down, and I hit a wall. I was exhausted, but kept pushing because I felt like I had to keep the business going. That’s when burnout really set in.
I didn’t immediately seek professional help because, like many people, I thought I could just push through it. But the reality is, burnout isn’t something you can just power through. After months of running on empty, I finally reached out for help. I ended up working with a business coach who specializes in stress management, and that was a game-changer. Instead of the usual advice about delegating tasks, we focused on mental resilience and setting boundaries—things that aren’t often talked about in running a business.
The coach helped me recognize that burnout doesn’t just come from working long hours. It comes from feeling like you’re never truly off the clock, mentally or emotionally. We worked on creating structured time for myself, where I could completely disconnect from work. This wasn’t just about taking breaks—it was about setting mental boundaries where work problems weren’t allowed to creep in.
One thing that helped a lot was adopting small habits, like scheduling blocks of time where I wouldn’t check emails or take business-related calls. It was a simple shift, but it allowed me to recharge in ways I hadn’t been doing before.
Daniel Vasilevski
Director & Owner, Bright Force Electrical