one of the best ways to defeat burnout is to make the job more enjoyable. That might seem impossible to many, but not always. Sometimes you just have to change the way you think.

Learn to laugh

No matter how boring or depressing your job might be at times, you have to find ways to laugh. Laughter eases out the tension of difficult situations. It helps bust stress and tension you might be under. The more you laugh, the better you would be able to deal with work, and the less burned out you'll be. Many people aren't aware that laughter suppresses stress-related hormones — so you know what you have to do.

Be social

Try to be social and talk to people. Find activities to do with coworkers, friends and family. Feeling connected to others is a great way to reduce stress and burnout.

Many people say that by the time they are done for the day, they are often so exhausted that they just want to go home and be left alone. However, a number of studies indicate that adults who have the fewest friendships and are least active socially are most likely to die prematurely. So buck up and have fun.

Be positive

Listen to conversations in your workplace. You might notice that a good percentage of discussions are negative. Work on training yourself to see the positive in situations — see the humour and knock out negative thoughts and conversation. Negativity just makes you feel worse.

What an idea

Adding fun to your day would help decrease burnout. Here are several simple ideas you can incorporate into your workplace.

• If you have a break room, consider filling it with toys and games. Colouring books would take you back to your childhood. A puzzle would take your mind off things. Games are fun too.

• If you don’t have a break room, get some little toys and games and keep them on your desk. You’ll be surprised how many people stop for a moment to play with your Silly Putty, shake a snow globe or put the magnetic beard on the man.

• Consider putting up a bulletin board in a break room or employee lounge. Ask everyone from entry-level employees up to administrators and supervisors to bring in baby pictures. Post the pictures on the board. Everyone will enjoy looking at the photos and laughing at each other. It’s fun to guess who’s who. It also shows that no matter where anyone is in the hierarchy of the facility, everyone started out as someone’s baby.

• Create a stress-free zone for such times when employees feel burnt out. It doesn't have to be a big space — even just a hallway outside a conference room is enough. Consider putting in a hammock or a lounge chair and perhaps an inflatable palm tree and picture of the ocean.

• Schedule activities you enjoy in your day and week. Buy a perfect flower, and keep it at your workspace. Take a walk outside during breaks. Take a mini visualisation vacation and go where you want to go, even if it’s only for five minutes.

• Plan a visit to the zoo, the movies, the gym, a spa or a local cafe. Go window-shopping by yourself or with a friend. What’s important is having something to look forward to doing after work.

• You can’t control everything, but you can control what you do and forget the rest. You can always beat burnout before it beats you. You just have to try.