By Mike Staver
Courtesy ASME’s Affinity Partner, American Management Association (AMA)

T.S. Eliot wrote that April is the cruelest month, but for many American workers, the other 11 months are no picnic either. Their work lives are defined by a time-crunched, overbooked, technology-fueled frenzy that has brought them to the brink of that all-too-common 21st-century malady—burnout.

Stress is taking a toll on today's employees—and everyone pays the price. Businesses suffer because overstressed workers are far less productive and uninspired. And the employees themselves suffer most of all; because they can't "turn off" the stress at the end of the day, their partners and families are affected, too.

So what can stressed-out workplace warriors do to avoid experiencing a total meltdown? Begin by incorporating the following “burnout busters” into your life:

• Start the day with some high-energy music. Research shows that people who listen to high-energy music before they face the day’s challenging situations increase their productivity by as much as 200 percent. Whether it's rock, country, jazz or pop, listen to music that "pumps you up" and makes you feel good. You’ll experience a sense of positive energy and enthusiasm that will help you tackle any challenges that you might encounter.
   
• Set aside blocks of time to complete various tasks. For example, you might designate the hour from 2-3 p.m. for dealing with e-mail. Don’t allow yourself to be interrupted during this time. Sure, you've heard about this technique—but have you really tried it? You’ll be surprised at how much your efficiency will increase. Plus you’ll be spared the anxiety caused by trying to handle 20 things at once.
  Learn the the eight other ways