The role of a funeral director isn’t an easy one. When most of your job revolves around helping others, it can be easy to forget to help yourself. Don’t let the stress of the job burn you out.

Forbes recently listed event coordinator as the fifth most stressful job in 2016. Funeral directors often draw comparisons to event coordinators. Funeral directors essentially are event coordinators — with a handful of other tasks and half the time to plan. On top of everything else, a funeral director is a pillar of support to grieving families. To say the job is stressful would be an understatement.

Stress can take a real toll over time. Not only does it affect your productivity, it will eventually cause physical ailments. The Atlantic reported that job stress can lead to hypertension and cardiovascular problems. The American Psychological Association found that “burnout — defined as persistent emotional exhaustion, physical fatigue and cognitive weariness — may negatively affect workers’ physical health more than previously believed.”

Let’s look at some tips you can use to counter the stress.

Physical Health

This is probably the first area to shows signs of stress. The good news: it’s also the easiest to remedy.

Questions to ask yourself: How are you sleeping at night? Are you always feeling sluggish or tired? Do you have any tension in your body? Do you feel achy?

Make sure to devote time to physical activities whenever possible. A little physical activity can boost your mood. Try to make it a daily routine.

Some tips:

• Join a gym
• Sign up for a fitness class, or find a partner to exercise with
• Go for a run or walk each day
• Take the stairs if possible
• Get a massage
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Make homecooked meals
• Start a personal garden, or join a community garden

Try to get a daily routine going. Anything that gets you up and moving for 30 minutes a day can help reduce the effects of stress on your body. Incorporate new activities into your life.

Mental Health

It’s a little easier to focus on physical health. Keeping an eye on your own mental wellbeing is trickier, but just as important. Job stress can lead to depression, anxiety, and poor decision making.

Questions to ask yourself: Are you constantly forgetting things? Do you feel like your thoughts aren’t clear? How are your relationships with your friends and family? How do you process and deal with your emotions? How often are you taking time off? How many hours do you work a week?

Try keeping a journal of your thoughts. Studies have shown that writing will improve your emotional health. It can help you identify and express your emotions better.

Some tips:

• Take a “me” day to reset yourself
• Get outside and into the sun
• Get a pet or a plant
• Force yourself to have leisure time
• Set time aside to meet with friends and family
• Volunteer
• Write a weekly list of what you are thankful for
• Try learning a new activity

At the end of the day, you’re the one that knows you best. Make sure to stop and treat yourself.

Are there any wellness tips that you use to de-stress? Share them in the comments below!