Feeling overwhelmed or burnt out at work? Here are 12 ways to take back control

Work takes up a huge portion of our lives, so it's important we feel good about it.

Whether you're in a dream job, one you took just to pay the bills, or somewhere in between, it's important to find balance and take care of your wellbeing.

Here are 12 ideas to help you take back control of your working life.

Find joy in what you do

There are plenty of ways you can improve your experience in the workplace without quitting your job.

One tip is to do a recovery activity after the work day, like exercise or a hobby.

If you do find yourself facing a major career change, it can be helpful to identify what anchors you in a job and what fulfils you. Is it security and stability? Or would you like more autonomy?

Those small moments of peace and joy — like the sun breaking through the clouds on a winter's day — have a name: "glimmers".

Looking for these moments throughout the day can provide a boost to your wellbeing and mental health.

Take restorative breaks

It's important to give yourself time to rest and recover after stressful periods at work. Even short breaks can be beneficial.

You can build in little breaks during the work day, too. For example, you could go for a walk or read a book instead of scrolling your phone on your lunch break.

You might be surprised at what difference it makes to your mood.

Crucially, you should not feel guilty about taking a mental health day.

"Taking a mental health day when you need it is, firstly, about demonstrating self-awareness, which is a cornerstone of resilience," says psychologist Rachel Clements.

Bring order to your digital workspace

The onslaught of emails can leave you feeling snowed under.

Some people find nirvana in achieving "inbox zero" at the end of every day, but you don't need to be that hyper-organised to ease the sense of chaos.

Koren Helbig has employed a useful strategy for managing the onslaught of emails.

You can also employ the use of automation and folders to keep your inbox clutter under control.

Set healthy boundaries

It may be challenging, but finding balance and setting boundaries is important.

If you're in a casual job, it can be tricky to say no to shift requests. Here are some strategies that may help.

The key here is to communicate early and often.

It's also powerful to know how to say no at work.

If you've been taking on more responsibilities with no extra raise, consider this expert advice on how to approach the situation.

Finally, if you've been wanting to ask for flexibility in your job, this doesn't need to be at the expense of reasonable boundaries.