13 Ways to Beat End-of-Summer Burnout Without Using PTO At this time of year, we all know we should wear hats and sunblock. But what about other burns, like end-of-summer burnout?

End-of-summer burnout isn't just about feeling run down after spending too much time by the pool or embarking on a long road trip with your family. Those types of activities can indeed burn you out by the end of the summer.

Specifically, I am referring to how we burn ourselves out professionally. Even after many balmy summer days, most of us still have to work while juggling all the summer social activities and events. And that's definitely a challenge when dealing with obstacles like FOMO or collaborating with others when they are on vacation.

When left unchecked, you may experience end-of-summer burnout, rearing its ugly head in the form of:

• Exhaustion on both a physical and emotional level
• A cynical and detached attitude
• Lack of accomplishments and feelings of ineffectiveness

What is the best way to deal with 'summer fatigue' or 'summer burnout'? Well, that would be to take a vacation. But, what if that's not an option? Here are some strategies to help you beat summer burnout without taking paid time off (PTO).

Related: How Time Management Can Help You Avoid Burnout

1. Be a problem solver

How do you solve a problem? Acknowledging its existence. You probably already know that, though. Perhaps you tell yourself everything will be fine tomorrow if you rearrange the pieces correctly, go to bed earlier, or focus more.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news — but that is rarely true. Despite what it might sound like, working harder isn't going to help. After all, this won't eliminate burnout. The only thing you'll do is add to your already high-stress level.

Related: Top 25 Side Hustles to Make Money During Summer 2023

A better approach? Changing your attitude, workload, and habits will be necessary to overcome this issue. To banish burnout, it is crucial to recognize you need to change. You will have to decide how you want to do that—writing about the problem and the typical responses you wish to change or talking with a friend about it might be helpful.

Try a few things to see what works for you before settling on one.

2. Reorganize your work habits

Robert Taibbi, a clinical social worker and author of several mental health books, says it's essential to identify how your work habits might negatively affect your happiness.

"It's about looking at your personality," Taibbi says. "What does your job require? How much in control are you? Do you have a hard time delegating and getting help on things? Do you get obsessed because you tend to be perfectionistic?"

Procrastination, for example, might cause burnout if you constantly battle last-minute deadlines. Taking on too much and being unable to assign tasks to others may be causing your problems.

You can alter these habits yourself or with a manager's assistance. For example, if you're more productive in the morning, you might want to schedule your most important tasks in the A.M. You can then schedule meetings or phone calls in the afternoon.

3. Take charge of your stress

Over time, burnout accumulates and becomes overwhelming. As a result, you need to have control to defeat it and conquer it by doing the following:

• Don't overcommit. Prepare your daily activities to determine what you can realistically accomplish each day.
• Prioritize and organize tasks. Plan and prioritize your workload to ensure that you are focusing on the most critical tasks and deadlines.
• Delegate and collaborate. You can reduce your workload by delegating tasks or working with colleagues. By sharing responsibilities, stress can be alleviated, and burnout can be prevented.
• Practice mindfulness and stress management. You can reduce stress, improve focus, and increase overall well-being by meditating, doing deep breathing exercises, journaling, or using mindfulness apps.

Related: 11 Effective Ways to Cope with Entrepreneurial Stress

4. Define your boundaries

When you first learn how to assert yourself and set boundaries, it can be difficult. However, this is crucial to regaining control and taking care of yourself at work and home.

I strongly suggest that you take baby steps. You can, for example, leave the office at a specific time, like leaving daily at 5 p.m. Or, you can say "no" to your colleague when they ask for an impromptu meeting.

To avoid blurring the lines between work and personal life, it's essential to establish clear boundaries. Avoid checking your email or doing work-related tasks when you are not working. And, ensure that you take time to relax and enjoy yourself.

5. Obtain a doctor's note

Suppose you want to take a mental health day or paid sick leave under the FMLA. You may be required to get a note from your doctor for your employer. Consult your employee handbook or speak with your manager if that's the case.

As such, ask your doctor to write you a note for your manager during your physician visit. While on your break, you may find it helpful to ask your doctor about stress management strategies. Furthermore, the doctor may suggest stress-coping mechanisms once you return to work.

6. Recharge yourself daily instead of just taking time off

"Sitting on your bed scrolling mindlessly on your phone when you get home from work might bring you a temporary escape from your stress, but it's not recharging you," says Shannon Garcia, a psychotherapist at States of Wellness Counseling in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Related: 'My Generation Is Lazy': 23-Year-Old CEO Says One Specific Thing Is Destroying Gen Z's Work Ethic

Your schedule should include more active forms of relaxation, according to her. "That could be cooking, taking your dog for a walk, dancing to music as you tidy, or gardening. Certainly, days spent binging a TV show can be restful. But active relaxation is often overlooked."

7. Become proficient at not doing anything

Often, we are uncomfortable with doing nothing. The result is either compensatory leisure, like going to happy hour, or spillover leisure, such as mindless social media scrolling. Here's the problem. Recreation of this type does not necessarily replenish the body and mind. Moreover, they may have a detrimental effect on our health.

It turns out that one of the most effective ways for you to help your brain is to do absolutely nothing. Among the peaceful things you can do is to sit down and focus on your breathing or to stare out the window mindlessly, as The New York Times recommends.

8. Take regular breaks

Allow yourself short breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. It can be as simple as walking outside, stretching, or practicing deep breathing. You can overcome burnout by stepping away from your desk and taking a break.

According to the American Psychological Association, research is revealing that taking frequent breaks can help you restore your energy in the short term and prevent burnout in the long term. You should regularly detach from work tasks during the day and off-hours.

9. Make your tasks more manageable by automating them

Using automation can lead to more efficiency and less time spent on your work. To streamline your workflow and automate tasks, here are some steps:

• Analyze repetitive tasks. These can be administrative, data entry, or other tasks that require a similar set of actions each time.
• Evaluate automation options. Choose solutions that align with your needs and are easy to integrate.
• Workflow automation. Automate workflows with Zapier, Microsoft Power Automate, or IFTTT (If This Then That). These platforms allow you to connect different applications and automate actions based on triggers and conditions.
• Task automation. Automate your most frequently used applications. Integration with other tools or built-in automation features is standard in software applications.
• Email automation. Your inbox can be streamlined with email automation features.
• Document and template automation. Use templates that can be easily customized for different situations if you frequently create similar documents or reports.
• Chatbot automation. By using chatbots, users can receive instant answers to common questions and navigate self-service options without needing to interact manually.
• Data automation. Whenever possible, automate data extraction, transformation, and analysis tasks.

Related: Smart Entrepreneurs Use Automation to Become More Efficient. Here Are 6 Ways to Adopt It.

10. Negotiate a flexible schedule

Rather than the antiquated nine-to-five, 40-hour workweek, it's an alternative way to work.

However, regarding flexible work hours, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not cover them in the United States. There is no such thing as an employer-employee relationship.

In light of this, employees should know the policy's coverage and flexible scheduling options. Also, if you're not in a leadership position, you should suggest various flexible schedules that suit your needs to your employer.

• Flextime work schedule. Flextime gives workers the freedom to choose when they work. In addition, employees can adjust their operating hours from one week to the next, depending on the business's needs.
• Remote working schedule. A remote employee works from home regularly. Typically, working from home involves the employee working 2-4 days a week from home.
• Compressed workweek schedule. Employees can work their regular 40 hours each week. In contrast to the usual five or ten days of the week, this would take place over a shorter period of time. For example, on Mondays and Thursdays, you can work an extra hour; on Fridays, you can take a half-day off.

Also, you might want to inquire about summer hours, such as:

• Half-day Fridays
• Early Friday dismissal.
• Shorter hours on any day you choose.
• Every other Friday is off.
• Every Friday off.

11. Engage your support network

Whenever you need help or help to talk about your troubles, don't hesitate to ask a trusted friend or family member. Discuss how you can change the situation by sharing what you're going through.

Related: The Newest Workplace Trend Has HR Sounding The Alarm

It might be possible for your colleagues to help you at work next week or perhaps your parents can take care of your children for a couple of days. Your friends may be able to recommend you for a new position if you need some time alone.

12. Make sure you take care of your mental health

A vacation alone won't fix your burnout. Stress should still be processed, physical symptoms should be calmed, spiraling thoughts should be stopped, and many more things should be accomplished.

Additionally, you should ensure you get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly. Consider activities that make you happy and help you unwind, such as reading, listening to music, taking a bath, or taking up a new hobby. Taking care of yourself outside of work can significantly affect your overall health.

13. Plan mini-getaways or day trips

Consider short outings or day trips instead of a more extended vacation to break the monotony and inject some fun and relaxation into your summer. Take advantage of local parks, nearby beaches, hiking trails, and attractions. These mini-getaways can provide a fresh change of scenery and a chance to recharge — even if it's just a day trip on a Saturday.