Have you ever felt so mentally and physically exhausted that even going through your everyday routine is difficult? Deadlines for assignments are catching up to you, you haven’t left the house in days and you just feel unmotivated and helpless? Burnout is real, and many students find it difficult to understand what it is and how to fix it.
Burnout is the result of constant stress that doesn’t seem to disappear. Stress can come from many different areas of your life such as from your job, family life, friends or academics. When stress is constant, there comes a point where your body and mind can no longer deal with what they are going through. Sometimes you just need a break to listen to what your body is telling you. Burnout is common among students; detecting it early and knowing how to deal with it can be extremely beneficial.
There are many symptoms associated with burnout, and although some remain consistent, others depend on the individual. You can often detect symptoms in the beginning stages of burnout, as it is a very gradual process. Some symptoms include feeling exhausted, always wanting to sleep, not wanting to go out, being unmotivated, feeling overwhelmed, increased cynical outlooks and generally being less happy. Although this list is not exhaustive, these are common symptoms that people tend to feel. Staying in tune with your body and knowing when something is abnormal are both important in being able to bounce back from burnout.
When you first notice these symptoms, this is the best time for you to take action. If you leave yourself feeling burnt-out, it will only make it harder on you in the future. If you find yourself in the later stages of burnout, you may experience a higher number of symptoms that may be more severe. This feeling just means that it may take a little bit longer for you to get back to your regular state!
Now that you can understand what burnout is and some of the symptoms that coincide with it, we can answer the burning question: how do I fix it and prevent it for the next time? Stopping and preventing burnout both require one thing: self-care. This idea of caring for yourself can look different for everyone. Something that I find relaxing could have the complete opposite effect on you! Every individual journey to stopping burnout can look a little different.
Taking care of yourself is the most important thing that you can do. Sometimes, you just need to step back from the stress your life is causing you and focus a bit more on yourself. This step back can be talking a walk, going outside for thirty minutes, calling up a friend and chatting, reading a book that isn’t a textbook, painting your nails, going to the gym or having a night out with your friends.
These ideas may seem small, but they add up over time and can prevent you from burning out. Life is stressful; it can feel like a never-ending marathon and there comes a point where you need to slow down. Enjoy yourself a little bit and do the things you love. Spending an hour away from work, school, family or whatever your stressors may be isn’t the end of the world and will be more beneficial to you in the long run.