If you’re in the tech industry, you know that many people in the sector work long hours.
One study of 36,200+ tech workers finds that 40% of workers want to quit their jobs because of heavy stress, exhaustion, and a poor work-life balance. But the thing is that it doesn’t have to be this way. You can enjoy a fulfilling career in the tech space without getting to the point where you want to throw in the towel and look for so-called greener pastures.
Continue reading to learn about three things tech workers can do to avoid burnout situations.
Find a Hobby
This point can’t be overstated. You need to have a life outside of work, and one way to do this is to find a new hobby or resurrect an old hobby you may have previously practiced but ultimately buried. Do you like gaming? Invest in a comfortable gaming chair, find a console or game streaming platform you like, and enjoy whatever types of games you want. You can play alone or with others. It can be a great way to pass the time and unwind after a long day on the job.
Software engineer observing software development processes on a blackboard
If you’re not into gaming, that’s okay. You can learn an instrument, collect sports memorabilia, join a book club, learn another language, or even take fun online courses. The sky’s the limit since there is an innumerable amount of hobbies and special interests you can pursue.
Telecommute
Between 2019 and 2021, the number of people mostly working from home went from 5.7% — around 9 million people — to 17.9% — around 27.6 million people. So says the 2021 American Community Survey. Another finding is that 48.3% of workers in the District of Columbia worked from their residences, which is the highest percentage of home-based workers across the country. If you want a better work-life balance, consider working remotely.
You can set up a home office, skip the morning and evening commute in heavy traffic, and spend more time around your family. Ensure you set up boundaries — like a dedicated office space — so that you switch off your computer and exit your home office space at a specific time of the day.
Focus on Relationships
If you’re working in tech or any sector and your work-life balance is out of whack, chances are you’re not spending enough time on relationships. Have you been so focused on advancing in your career that you’ve been putting relationships on the back burner? Do you have a significant other but perhaps have been neglecting them because of your stressful job?
Make it a point to prioritize healthy relationships. Perhaps you’ve been thinking about proposing to your significant other but have been making work-related excuses. Now might be the time to get engaged and start a family rather than focus solely on work and money.
If this sounds like a good idea, go online and check out some engagement rings. You’ll want to add lab diamond engagement rings to your list of considerations. You’ll know why when you look into them. Plan your proposal, take time off for the wedding and honeymoon, and enjoy life. You won’t regret building a life with someone you love or spending time with friends.
These are three things to consider if you want to avoid getting too stressed out at your tech job. The industry is vibrant, with plenty of job opportunities and career growth potential. But don’t allow the demands of your job stress you out to the point of burnout.
In the end, life is about more than just your job. Take time out for yourself and people who also matter to you.
