Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot about overwhelm and burnout from clients and friends. I’ve been feeling it myself. Yet, paradoxically, according to Jung, we all are at a point in our lives where our focus has shifted from achievement to meaning making.

It’s not so much achievement as a goal – it’s keeping up. Everything moves so quickly! Everyone else seem to be so busy. We likely have more years behind us than in front of us. We can’t waste a minute! Our inner voice begins to question every break, every moment of relaxation. Perhaps worse, we are in danger of thinking of relaxation as a productivity hack – not time to be enjoyed but a way to be even more productive.

There’s pressure to always be busy – to be in action. In an effort, perhaps, to not be an old woman sitting on a porch in a rocking chair, we take on project after project. We try to multitask, even though all evidence tells us that not only is this impossible, but it diminishes focus and leads to mistakes. We fail to set boundaries and wonder why we’re exhausted.

It’s time to slow down. To replace business with mindfulness. To replace work breaks with genuine relaxation. To spend time with friends and family.

Start your day in an intentional way that honors your body and mind. Some do stretch exercises before getting out of bed. Some pop out of bed with a big smile and proclaim that this will be an amazing day. Others make the bed immediately. Whatever you do, set a frame for your day.

Next, add a little time for a calming or meditative activity. For a while, I was doing the NYT short crossword puzzle and connections while the coffee was brewing. I wanted to be reassured that my brain was still functioning! I’ve switched back to reading some sort of meditation or centering work and spending a few minutes journaling at least a few sentences. I feel the change after only a few days.

Do only one thing at a time. This can mean focusing on and enjoying meals instead of eating while reading – or eating, checking emailtextsfacebook and the morning news over breakfast.

Detach from work for leisure time. I’ve seen people scrolling their phones through museum exhibits and walks. Try (horrors!) turning your phone off or at least setting it on silent. Become a fan of short naps.

Finally, allow yourself to be bored from time to time. Research tells us that this can be a blessing. The mind is busy problem solving, organizing ideas and memories and winnowing out the trash when it is at rest. I find it delightful to know that my brain is working so hard when I’m not.

A cartoon in a recent column on burnout by Eric Barker depicts a woman saying, “Only 6 hours, 40 minutes and 35 years until I’m done with work.” Don’t be that woman.