Managing Burnout

It’s nearing the end of the semester which means that classes are rapidly coming to a close. For me, and I’m sure many of my fellow classmates, April is such a dreaded month. We have gone almost an entire school year, just weeks away from finishing, and are still having new information thrown at us while trying to complete final projects, assignments, essays, and studying for exams. Exhaustion is an understatement. 

I have become all too familiar with this “April feeling” called burnout. To put it simply, my mind has completely checked out of what is expected of me. Sure, I still attend class and complete my assignments, but it’s like my eyes are glancing over the screen, incapable of transmitting new information to my brain. Sleep has become my companion – one could even say my best friend. Whenever I am not doing homework or if I’m alone for a while, I am usually tucked in tightly to my bed. 

Since I’ve had this experience countless times in my academic career, I have come up with a few things that make the burnout better. Well, perhaps “better” isn’t the right word, but it certainly makes the time more bearable. 

1. Prioritize activities that bring you real joy

This step may sound straightforward, but it does take a conscious effort to do this for yourself. Even though your brain may be telling you that all your body wants is to put on your slippers and rest your eyes, it’s really trying to cope with how exhausted your life/schedule has become. This is when it is a good time to remind yourself of the things you enjoy doing, instead of becoming buried with activities that physically and emotionally drain you. 

This could be reading, writing, running, walking, painting, and yes even playing a video game or two. I recently started going to jungle gyms with a friend a few nights a week. Honestly, you forget how much you enjoy it (and how much of a workout it can be), but it’s so nice to have an activity that clears my head, even for just an hour or two. 

2. Take care of your nutritional wellbeing

If you’ve never survived the day off one Celsius or a Red Bull, can you even claim that you’re a college student at all? In all seriousness though, getting good nutrition during times of extreme exhaustion or burnout is incredibly important. 

Of course, getting a balanced diet is important every day, but if we’re being realistic, many, if not all, college kids don’t do this. As mentioned previously, some days have students consuming just a few cans of caffeine, calling it good. Having good nutrition during burnout, I would argue, is incredibly important, especially if you don’t get it every day. No shame here, because I am in the same boat. According to NC State University, getting nutrition in burnout can regulate stress hormones, boost energy and focus, work to repair physical damage caused by chronic stress, improve overall mental health, and support your gut health. Nutrition plays a huge factor in how we function as humans. Do your body a favor and get that burrito you’ve been eyeing for days. 

3. Make sure you’re getting regular sleep

Even though it is not an issue for me now, I experienced many sleepless nights because of stress. My mind wouldn’t turn off and I was usually scrolling on some social media platform or other. I didn’t think sleep was that big of a deal, especially since I had a cold energy drink waiting in the fridge for me the following morning. 

Sleep allows your body to shut down and recover from the day. Getting some deep sleep allows your muscles and your mind to repair from damages caused from things like stress. Another important factor for getting a good night’s rest is to improve your cognitive function. This means that sleep helps your memory, focus, and mental sharpness, all of which are essential to everyday life. 

4. Remind yourself that the burnout is temporary

Even though it may feel like you can never see the end when experiencing burnout, it is a good practice to remind yourself that the exhaustion is temporary. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Even if it is a little blurry and farther to see, it is still there. 

Something that makes me feel better during burnout is setting countdowns. I have an app on my phone where I can set a date and it will show the months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds until I reach the set date. I don’t check it every day, but when I do it’s so satisfying to see how quickly the days go down. If the burnout you’re experiencing is too far from that light at the end of the tunnel, try setting smaller countdowns to get your through. You could try setting them for the upcoming weekend or the day you’re done with a major project. 

Burnout is a universal experience, so you’re not alone in feeling it. What is important to get you through it, especially at this point in the semester, is to stay grounded in yourself. Prioritize your own wellbeing and take some much needed breaks. Allow yourself to feel anxious, tired, and frustrated, but remember, it’ll pass with time.

• #academics
• #burnout
• #college
• #school life balance
• #stress