What is creative burnout? Though burnout is getting more and more widespread, it is not an imaginary thing. As neuroscientists define it, burnout is a condition caused by excessive anxiety or pressure, and difficulty in separating work and personal life. Burnout has a negative effect on a person’s relationships, physical and mental health, and job. In the words of science, burnout is not just a concept. It can be easily diagnosed based on a constantly high level of cortisol. 

Artists are very prone to burnout due to their creative and unstable character of work. Today, we will share tips on how to avoid burnout if you are also engaged as an art professional. 

Step 1. Learn to leave your work at the workplace

It is very important to switch off from time to time. Though many workers can imagine an artist’s job as easy and creative, in fact, an artist never stops working while many people leave their jobs at five or six and go home. Artists constantly have to deal with deadlines, they push themselves to work even when they have no ideas, and in addition, they tend to compare their work with the achievements of other people and push themselves even more. You need to learn to discuss and think over your work matters only at work. Don’t neglect holidays because this is the time your body needs to restore its powers. By learning to say No to excessive overload, you make yourself more productive in the long run. 

Step 2. Learn to pay attention to your body signals

Our body sends multiple signals that it is already reaching its top capacity while we work. If we go on asking for more resources, the body, just like a car, gets broken. The body can get a disease, a cold, or even develop a pain syndrome just to make you stay in bed and rest. That’s why it’s important to plan breaks and rest before your body gets really tired. And though it is important to improve your skills and respect all deadlines, don’t let the job take all other parts of your life. 

Step 3. Accept your capabilities

We, artists, tend to compare ourselves to each other too much. We take many projects at once to show off. And we indeed achieve a lot, at the same time ruining our health. It is important to understand that you have limits like every other person, and, yes, it can appear that some people indeed can have more capabilities than you by nature. Don’t push yourself to beat every artist in the world, be good for your level. Otherwise, you can just quickly lose your health, which is one of the key resources for your ongoing career. We all have our own artistic ways. And if you manage to go steadily, you will reach the top. 

Step 4. Avoid work that you dislike

Boredom wastes our energy and resources, that’s why try to avoid work that you don’t like. At the beginning of the career, you get experience and your first income. But the more time passes, the more you understand what you like and hate to do. Try to accept mostly the project you like, because this will inspire you.

Step 5. Make yourself more confident

Being too critical of yourself can also increase your level of stress hormones and lead you to burnout. That is why it is a good idea to make your list of accomplishments and read it every time you feel down or uninspired. Collect positive feedback and reviews on your work, focus on your achievements rather than on failures and you will soon notice that you experience burnout less and less often. 

Step 6. Get creative for fun

Being an artist requires being creative to solve some particular tasks. We suppress our internal desire to draw or play something. Let your emotions go out. Don’t think about how to do it correctly, just let yourself create something freely without constraints. The sketch that you have can turn into a great idea, but don’t pursue results. The idea is just to get passionate again. 

Step 7. Turn to friends

Don’t let burnout isolate you from your friends and other people. Take your time to develop relationships with other people, and turn to those people when you feel sad. Yet, don’t expect your friends to guess which kind of support you really need. Most people are bad at helping, though they really want to do it. So, come to your friends with an idea of how to make you feel better. Ask them for a conversation, support, encouragement, or advice if those are the things that you need. 

We hope that these tips will help you to avoid burnout and stay healthy and creative for a long time!