It’s that time of the year where the weather, our schedules, and our moods are entirely unpredictable. For students, exams are looming over our heads and due dates are fast approaching. Staying motivated and pushing through these last few weeks of the semester can be increasingly difficult when you are experiencing burnout. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands (Helpguide). Here are a few daily habits that might help fight burnout and promote a better mindset moving forward.
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Take 30 minutes every day to do something for yourself
As students, there is an enormous amount of pressure to be busy all the time. We rush from class to clubs and activities, to the library and dining hall. We have most of our days scheduled down to the hour and very little time for relaxation. One thing to do when it feels like your list of daily demands is governing your time is to schedule a period of 30 mins (or more) to do something for yourself. This time could be used for anything, but it should be stress-free. Turning off your phone and doing some yoga, watching an episode of your favorite show, doing a facemask, or taking a nap, could all be done in these 30 minutes.
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Try Meditation or a Mindfulness Exercise
While school is important, it is essential that we remember it is not the only thing that matters in our lives. Mindfulness and meditation can be useful tools to stay grounded and get some perspective. These exercises can be as short as 5 minutes, and can easily fit into a busy schedule. Taking a few minutes out of your day to clear your headspace can help you examine your priorities and manage stress.
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Get Outside
Seasonal depression and cabin fever are two things that have hit especially hard this winter/spring due to COVID. In order to fight off burnout, it is essential to get outside and soak up some sun. While the weather can be extremely unpredictable this time of year, finding a few minutes to be outside can make a big difference. Whether you are exercising or taking the long route to class, getting outside can boost serotonin and promote better mental health.
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Spend Time with Others
While this may seem unimportant or unnecessary, spending time with others is essential to our mental health. When our workloads weigh heavy on our minds, our initial reaction is often to be alone and buckle down. However, spending too much time alone can become extremely isolating. Spending time with your friends, a study partner, etc. is a great way to fight burnout. Even if you and your friends go to the library together, being around others is an essential part of a healthy headspace.
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Practice Positive Self-Talk
When we are stressed, we tend to be extremely hard on ourselves by setting unrealistic expectations, overworking, and using negative self-talk. In order to combat this, we must give ourselves a break and use positive reinforcement. Whether this is repeating affirmations, or just changing the tone of your internal monologue, positive self-talk can be extremely useful to maintain a healthy mind. This can be as simple as recognizing how much you accomplished in a day or giving yourself a compliment. These simple tasks can change the way we interact with ourselves, and others.
While all of these activities might not be possible every day, trying out one or two could be a great way to stay mentally healthy throughout these busy days. It is important to slow down every once-in-a-while and remember that you are doing your best, and that is enough!
Disclaimer: Her Campus St. Law U is neither sponsored by nor affiliated with any brands or companies mentioned in this article.
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