How to Prevent Blogger Burnout

Has blogging ever left you feeling depressed, helpless, or just plain worn out? You may be suffering from blogging burnout. Burnout can make even simple problems seem insurmountable. It becomes difficult to care when you are feeling low, and eventually the negative effects of burnout can spill into your home and social life.

Follow these four guidelines to avoid burnout and keep yourself performing at top level.

1. Schedule Time for Yourself

When you work from home as a blogger it is easy for work to seep into all aspects of your day. Too much work can lead too little time for everything else–including sleep and food! Schedule time to care for you (both physically and emotionally).

Make time each day to maintain a healthy diet and get some sort of exercise.
Log off for bedtime! You may be able to survive short term on four to six hours of sleep, but long term exhaustion can make it difficult to meet the mental demands of blogging. Getting enough sleep will boost your productivity long term.
Schedule “Me Time.” Give yourself a pedicure, go see a movie, have lunch with a friend — whatever fills you up! Sometimes scheduling down time is the only way to get a break… just be sure to stick with the plan.

2. Leave Work at Work

Are you so preoccupied with your blog that you think about it even when you’re not at work? Take action to leave work at work (as much as possible) to reduce the threat of burnout. There are several ways to actively detach from your blog.

Treat your blogging schedule like an office job. Take an occasional Friday off or schedule a family vacation to unwind.
Set blogging boundaries such as turning off your cell phone at dinner and set specific times to check social media or email. This can keep blogging from taking over your entire life and might even allow you to enjoy your kid’s soccer game.
Stay involved in other outside interests or hobbies. “All work and no play” applies to bloggers too.

3. Get Social Support

Christina Maslach, professor of psychology at the University of California at Berkeley and author of The Truth About Burnout, believes lack of social support is responsible for a great deal of workplace related burnout. Prevent feelings of isolation by:

Joining or forming a blog support group when you can share your goals, successes and frustrations. Check out our Facebook group for instant support!
Set concrete shared goals with your spouse or significant others in your life to prevent conflict. Blogging takes time away from your relationships; being able to celebrate accomplishments together can alleviate some of the stress.

4. Take a Walk

According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise reduces stress levels, lowers blood pressure, and releases endorphins that help you control stress. As bloggers we are often sedentary, which can increase feelings of burnout. Work exercise into your day the following ways:

Schedule one 30-minute walk each day. If you can’t devote 30 straight minutes to exercise, try three 10-minute walks instead. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends getting at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity.
Do exercise you love. If walking is not your thing, pick another form of exercise you enjoy. Almost any form of movement can decrease your stress.

Use these tips to combat burnout and you will be a happier, more engaged, and more productive blogger. What is your favorite way to combat stress when you are feeling burned out?