Erika Davis
Busy periods at work are inevitable and can create burnout. Deadlines overlap, meetings fill the calendar, and a growing inbox can make even a normal week feel demanding. But when stress becomes constant and starts affecting your energy, concentration, or motivation, it may be time to change how you structure your workday.
Burnout is generally associated with prolonged workplace stress that hasn’t been successfully managed. Preventing it doesn’t necessarily require a major lifestyle overhaul. Often, a few consistent habits can help create more breathing room during the day.
Here are six simple tactics you can put into practice.
1. Schedule Real Breaks Into Your Day
When the calendar gets crowded, breaks are often the first thing to disappear. One of the easiest ways to protect them is to put them on your calendar just like you would a meeting.
Your break doesn’t have to be long. Reserve 15 minutes in the middle of the afternoon for a walk, or take five minutes at the top of each hour to stand, stretch, or move around. If leaving your desk isn’t practical, use the time for a few slow breaths, simple yoga stretches, or a short screen break. Looking away from your computer and focusing on something farther across the room can also give your eyes a rest from close-up work.
The important part is creating intentional pauses before you’re already exhausted.
Try This: Block one 15-minute break on tomorrow’s calendar and treat it like any other appointment. If shorter breaks work better for you, schedule five minutes at the top of several hours instead.
2. Use the 2-Minute Rule for Small Tasks
Tiny tasks can create a surprising amount of mental clutter.
The 2-Minute Rule, popularized by productivity expert David Allen through his book Getting Things Done methodology, offers a straightforward approach: if something can truly be completed in about two minutes, consider doing it immediately rather than adding it to another list.
That might include confirming an appointment, filing a document, forwarding information to a coworker, answering a very quick question, or sending a short email. If something takes longer, don’t automatically stop what you’re doing. Decide whether it should be scheduled, delegated, or added to your task list.
The rule works best when you’re already processing email, paperwork, or administrative tasks. A constant stream of “quick” requests can become distracting if you’re trying to concentrate on a larger project.
Try This: The next time you work through your inbox or task list, immediately handle the items that genuinely take two minutes or less. Schedule or delegate the rest.
3. Choose Three Priorities for the Day
A lengthy to-do list can make the workday feel overwhelming before it even begins.
Instead of treating everything as equally urgent, identify the two or three things that truly need your attention that day.
Ask yourself: If I finish only three important things today, which ones will make the biggest difference?
From there, determine what can wait, what can be delegated, and what may not need to be done at all. Breaking larger projects into smaller steps can help, too. “Finish presentation” can feel daunting. “Draft opening slides” or “review final numbers” gives you a specific place to begin.
Try This: Before opening your inbox tomorrow morning, write down your three most important priorities for the day. Keep the list somewhere visible and return to it when new requests start competing for your attention.
4. Create a Clear End to Your Workday
Technology makes it possible to stay connected almost constantly. Unfortunately, that can make it difficult to feel like the workday has ended. When possible, choose a realistic stopping time and create a simple routine around it.
Spend the last few minutes of the day reviewing what you completed, identifying tomorrow’s priorities, closing unnecessary browser tabs, and organizing anything you’ll need in the morning. Then turn off nonessential work notifications.
Some jobs will always require occasional evening or weekend work. The goal isn’t perfect separation. It’s making sure continuous availability doesn’t gradually become the expectation.
Protecting your personal time also makes room for the things that help you recharge, whether that’s family, exercise, friends, hobbies, volunteering, exploring Chicago, or simply having a quiet evening at home.
Try This: Set an end-of-day reminder on your calendar. Use the final five minutes of your workday to prepare for tomorrow, then consciously step away from work.
5. Match Your Work to Your Energy
Time management gets a lot of attention, but energy management can be just as important.
Most people have periods of the day when they’re naturally more focused and others when their energy drops.
If you do your best thinking in the morning, try to protect that time for projects that require concentration, creativity, or problem-solving. Save routine administrative work for a period when your energy is lower.
Someone who becomes more productive later in the day may benefit from doing the opposite.
Of course, meetings and deadlines don’t always cooperate. But even small changes in when you tackle certain tasks can make the workday feel less draining.
Try This: For one week, notice when you feel most focused and when your energy tends to dip. Then see whether you can move one demanding task into your strongest part of the day.
6. Make Your Workspace Work for You
Your surroundings can influence how comfortable and focused you feel throughout the day.
Natural light, comfortable seating, appropriate temperatures, organized work areas, and access to different types of spaces can all contribute to a better office experience.
Small adjustments may help. Clear unnecessary clutter from your desk. Add a plant or personal item you enjoy. Move closer to natural light when possible. Work in a quieter space when you need to concentrate.
Movement can be part of this strategy, too. Walk over to speak with a colleague instead of sending another message, take the stairs when practical, step outside at lunch, or suggest a walking meeting when you don’t need a screen.
Businesses can also consider whether employees have spaces suited to different types of work. Quiet areas can support concentration, while conference rooms and collaborative spaces give teams places to gather without disrupting others.
Try This: Make one change to your workspace today. Clear your desk, reposition your chair, find a quieter spot for focused work, or take your next one-on-one meeting for a short walk.
Small Changes Can Help Prevent Burnout at Work
Learning how to prevent burnout at work doesn’t mean eliminating every stressful day. Busy seasons, deadlines, and unexpected challenges are part of professional life. The goal is to build habits and environments that make it easier to pause, prioritize, focus, and recharge.
Employers have a role to play as well. Clear expectations, manageable workloads, supportive managers, comfortable work environments, and opportunities for employees to communicate what they need can all contribute to a healthier workplace.
At TAWANI Property Management, we understand that where people work can influence how they experience the workday. Thoughtfully maintained office spaces, useful amenities, convenient locations, and environments designed for different types of work can help businesses create a more supportive office experience.
The historic Monroe Building at 104 S. Michigan Avenue combines modern office space with a prime downtown Chicago location overlooking Millennium Park. Tenants enjoy access to a range of amenities, including a fitness center, conference facilities, event spaces, secure bike storage, and convenient public transportation options. Plus, a new state-of-the-art amenity floor coming this Fall will create additional space for tenants to gather, take a break, and recharge during the workday.
Businesses looking for office space that supports the way their teams work today can explore TAWANI Property Management’s commercial properties in Chicago or contact TAWANI Property Management to learn more.
