A friend of mine, humorist Loretta LaRoche, poses an interesting question: “What will your tombstone say? ‘Got it all done, dead anyway’?” If you sometimes think that the complexities of life are unmanageable, and that your energy reserves have bottomed out, take heart. There’s hope for putting the juice back into your life.

Here are five simple keys for banishing burnout and reclaiming the creativity, contentment and empowerment that are your birthright as a human being.

1. Recognition: On a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is juicy, alive, vibrant, curious and joyful and 1 is depressed, lethargic, irritable and tense, where are you? If you learn to monitor yourself during the day, and do something to fill yourself up when you’re running on empty, you’ll be much happier and more efficient. What’s your number? Need to take a 10‐minute walk, do some yoga stretches at the computer, eat a healthy snack, pat that poodle or call a friend? Try keeping your wellness score above 6, and you’ll find yourself in the flow zone where inspiration flourishes and you feel content, present and ready to live at your peak.

2. Friendship: Human beings are social animals, and research shows that connection to loved ones is one of the most important keys to health and well‐being. Friendship is a great way to reduce your stress. You may not have time during the day for an extended visit, but even a short, meaningful conversation can revive your spirit and remind you that at the end of the day, love is what matters most.

3. Gratitude: When you wake up in the morning, where does your mind go? If it jumps into the garbage bin and starts to list your worries, the neural pathways of “fight or flight” kick in. Gratitude engages more creative brain circuits. Think of three things you are grateful for before you even get out of bed. At the end of the day, think of at least one thing that surprised or delighted you. Research shows that grateful people are more motivated, efficient, healthy and happy.

4. Centering: Whether it is through meditation, mindfulness, tai chi, yoga, prayer or being in nature, centering restores you in body, mind and soul. Anything that deflects you from the relentless, judgmental inner dialogue elicits the relaxation response, a brain state that is the opposite of the body’s stress response. When you realize that although you have thoughts, you are not your thoughts, you can get in touch with the peaceful center at your core and live creatively in the present moment.

5. Exercise and Diet: One of the best cures for burnout is getting out of your mind and into your body. Even 30 minutes of walking five days a week can reduce stress, tone your muscles and rejuvenate your spirit. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables reduces the incidence of heart disease and cancer, helps slow down the aging process, helps keeps your weight at an optimal level and boosts your mood.

Now that’s not so hard, is it? Just remember these five keys, and you can change your life!