Tax season is the most difficult part of the year for accountants and bookkeepers. No matter how much you prepare for tax season, you can still get overwhelmed once it arrives. It is hard to stay resilient in the face of more work and less time with loved ones. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to help make sure you don’t burnout.

4 Ways to Avoid Tax Season Burnouts

    1. Exercise
    2. Get lots of bed rest
    3. Keep everything in moderation
    4. Maintain a proper diet

1. Exercise

An issue with accounting jobs is how much time you sit. According to health experts, sitting for too long without exercising can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. So get up! Go for a jog or even dance! Physical activity produces endorphins which in turn make you feel good, thus reducing stress.

Remember not to start with the most difficult exercises. Start slowly and work your way up, and you’ll find yourself running that stress away in no time.

2. Get Lots of Bed Rest

Getting rest is one of the ways to stay ahead of the game. However, to really maximize its effectiveness, make sure you are getting quality sleep. This means sleeping in a cold, quiet, and dark room without any devices emitting bright blue light for 7-9 hours. If you’re having a hard time sleeping, try to limit your caffeine and alcohol intake. These substances can interrupt your sleeping pattern and cause you to stay awake.

3. Keep Everything in Moderation

Make sure to take multiple breaks in a day! Get up from your desk and stretch. Take a slow, easy walk around town. Don’t work yourself to the bone. Even when you desperately want something finished right now, taking a break first will actually get you there faster. This is because during this downtime, your mind can unwind and rest. Then when you come back to the problem, you are refreshed and can look at things with fresh eyes.

If you feel you don’t have enough breaks, work with your CPA firm management company to find a schedule that works for you.

4. Maintain a Proper Diet

It’s easy to say you’ll change your diet to a healthier one but much harder to do, especially for people who may be working for busy accounting firms. For one, the habit of eating fast food or unhealthy but easy-to-cook meals is hard to break. So, how do you break the habit? Well, here are a few tips to do just that:

    • Avoid eating fast food meals

    • Buy pre-made meals from companies that handle weight management

    • Cook for yourself more often

    • Stock your pantry with raw vegetables and fruit

    • When you do eat out, try to pick a healthy restaurant

Conclusion

While tax season can be the most stressful part of the year for many accountants because of all the extra work, remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there and use the tips above to help manage your stress. If all else fails, remember you can always talk to your bosses to find a better work/life balance.

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