5 Tips For Relieving Burnout

It starts with fatigue. You feel tired and overwhelmed, and you struggle to get things done. Soon negative thoughts come into play - and your cynicism leads you to feel helpless. Before you know it, you're in a state of Burnout.

Whether it is work, school or family, sometimes Burnout gets the better of us. Here are 5 tips to help bring balance back in your life.


1. Re-adjust your priorities. Cast aside things that don't need your immediate attention.

2. Delegate more. Call in the cavalry to help get things done. Consider saying "NO" more and "Yes" less.

3. Invite sensory and calming experiences like music, touch and rest into your day.

4. Bring color and beauty into your world. Buy flowers, look at art, experience nature.

5. Exercise. Get your body moving and breathe, breathe, breathe.

The Benefits of "Exergaming"

In the few last years, the gaming industry has introduced games that require physical movement. No more sitting with a controller in your hand couch-potatoting it up all day long. Now, when it comes to gaming, you gotta move it or lose it.

For example, Nintendo Wii requires each player to swing golf clubs, tennis racquet's and throw bowling balls. Playmotion has volleyball, shufflepuck and soccer. Gamercize has wrestling and racing. There's yoga, snowboarding and a host of other activities that keep the fun going and keep your body moving.

Research says that "Exergaming" has more than entertainment value. It offers great physical and mental benefits. I totally agree.

Technology rocks.

Klein, M., & Simmers, C. (2009). Exergaming: Virtual inspiration, real perspiration Young Consumers: Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers, 10 (1), 35-45 DOI: 10.1108/17473610910940774

"One Letter Off" Movies: A Lateral Thinking Exercise

Critical Thinking is the process by which we look for errors and find answers. Whereas Lateral Thinking is the finding of solutions through a creative process. Research tells us that creative thinking can help us be more effective problem solvers.

So, give this fun exercise a try. Change one letter to spin a classic movie into a parody of itself. The possibilities - and chuckles - are infinite. But, please, keep 'em G rated.

Here are some of mine:

The Incredible Sulk

Jurassic Pork
The Lizard of Oz
The Trouble With Hairy
The Dork Knight
Iron Pan
The Beer Hunter
All About Ewe
Ben-Fur
Planet of the Ales
Public Enema
Boys Don't Fry
Lust in Translation
Silence of the Lamps




Drury, S. (2009). Thinking Inside The Box. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 48 (1), 1-2 DOI: 10.1097/CHI.0b013e3181908c2c

January is National Mentoring Month

There are few relationships in life that are more influential than those between a mentor and a young person. I know this from both sides of the coin. You see, I have had many a mentor in my life growing up. A person who took a unique interest in me, fostered my growth and guided me onward.

I have also been a mentor to young children and young adults. The experience has been so rewarding and meaningful to me. In fact, research shows that mentoring is an extraordinary experience for all involved.

January is National Mentoring Month. Be mentor. Change a life. And transform your own. Link here for more information.


Pedersen, P., Woolum, S., Gagne, B., & Coleman, M. (2009). Beyond the norm: Extraordinary relationships in youth mentoring Children and Youth Services Review, 31 (12), 1307-1313 DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2009.06.001