Problem sets, essays, midterms, extracurricular activities, summer internships, summer storage… the list of your responsibilities seems endless. Especially with the nice weather, that to-do list is not only becoming obnoxious, but it may cause you to be burnt out.
You may be asking, “what does it mean to be burnt out?” Well if you’re lucky enough to not know what that means, burning out is the gradual process by which a person, in response to prolonged stress and physical, mental and emotional strain, detaches from work and other meaningful relationships. It usually leads to lowered productivity, cynicism, confusion, and that awful feeling of being drained.
If you can relate to any of those symptoms, here are some of the things you can do to get yourself out of this rut:
Practice good time management skills:
- Prioritize your work! That 100-point midterm is probably more important than that problem set worth 10 points.
- Don’t get bogged down by email. If you’re like me, then you probably attack your computer when you hear your email chime. (I like emails… they make me feel important.) Just remember that most of those messages don’t need to be answered right away – it’s probably just an email from Duke that can wait.
- Keep a day planner. It will help you keep track of all your meetings and help you see your free blocks of time. Don’t just use that time for work though. Make sure to spend time with your friends and most importantly, yourself.
Establish an exercise routine and eat healthy:
- You’ve probably heard this time after time. But there’s a reason – It really is good for you. Try going on a run, Not only are there the obvious physical benefits, but researchers also recently found that the runners’ high does exist! When you run, there is an increased release of endorphins!
- Remember that exercise doesn’t have to be a thirty-minute run. Maybe you’re just too damn exhausted to go on a full on run or you really just aren’t a runner. If you’re a beginner, definitely check this guide out! Or even go take a walk in the Duke Gardens with a friend or even by yourself. You can also use this time to vent to a friend or just have time to yourself – you’ll be emotionally and physically peaceful. Try to schedule this in at least three times a week. Try a reward system too – every three times you work out, you get to eat that delicious brownie.
- Some easy, healthy food choices are always: leafy greens, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products. Make your own salad at the Great Hall – just make sure to watch the dressing. If you have been feeling tired often, try eating less starches and sugars. Both are sources of empty calories. Find out more about what’s healthy and what’s not!
Have fun!
- Spend more time on your social life! Who doesn’t like the idea of that? It’s Wednesday night so you know what that means – Shootahz! Go ride that bull and dance in the cage – it’s good for you!
- Take breaks. Maybe you can only take a 10 minute break – go ahead and play Scramble with Friends and Draw Something. Or if you have more time, then go to Southpoint Mall with the girls. With nice weather also comes a new wardrobe. Or try some of these ideas out!
Ask for help!
- Some of us have too much pride to ask for help. But, right now isn’t the time for that. If you just don’t understand the course material – go to office hours (they exist for a reason). Or even ask a friend for help with simple tasks. Need to run errands and a friend already is? Ask them if they can pick up those much-needed toiletries for you. Even if someone helps you with something that might seem small, you will still feel some sense of relief.
Find a sanctuary
- Find somewhere you can feel happy, safe, and calm. Once you’ve found the spot, spend a little time in there everyday. I definitely recommend finding somewhere in the Duke Gardens. There are plenty of little benches throughout the Gardens where you can just take a moment to yourself. There are also plenty of places that you can get comfy. Check out the Bird Watching Shelter in the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants or the Japanese Tea House in the W.L. Culberson Asiatic Arborterum.
There you have it! Your emotional strain may just be because you are burnt out—so take a deep breath and relax. If you find that you really can’t deal with it alone, then don’t hesitate to contact CAPS, just like office hours there’s a reason why it’s available. There are only a few weeks left so follow these tips so you can finish this year with a bang! Good luck, collegiettes!
Resources:
http://ladyluck.hubpages.com/hub/stopbeingburntout
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/health/nutrition/27best.html
http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/culberson_asiatic_arboretum.htm
Photo Source:
http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID30785/images/overworked_burnout.jpg
http://socializedsoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/mail.app_.jpg
http://health.kerals.com/beauty/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DIET-AND-EXER…
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3300808455_69c30e3226.jpg
http://religion103.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/open20sign20vintage.jpg
http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/Golden-Leaf-910.htm