“What’s the best piece of advice you received?”
It’s okay to take breaks. Overworking myself has always been a talent of mine. My anxiety and stress-driven mind just can’t comprehend that sometimes what I need is rest. And I think many of us college students struggle with the same thing. Between classes, having to study, and needing to obtain good grades while also participating in extracurriculars and academic projects it becomes easy to neglect ourselves, eat poorly, or not sleep well. Before we know it, burnout has moved into our lives and taken over.
As students in the current world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or feel like we aren’t doing enough, especially with hustle culture taking over social media and many academic circles. I have had moments where I feel like I’m being crushed by work, and even if the assignments I have to do aren’t complicated, they feel like the hardest thing to complete. I’ve pressured myself to continue to work until the stress bursts out of me through panic attacks and it breaks my heart to see this same thing happen to friends and classmates. This is why I want to tell you one thing: your well-being comes first. Taking care of yourself is probably the most important thing you must do to be able to accomplish all that you want. And, contrary to what you may have heard, you don’t have to ‘earn’ breaks in order to take them. Rest is not an award you need to fight for, it’s something you need and take whenever you must even if you still have pending items on your to-do list.
A survey done in OSU showed that depression, anxiety, and burnout were all on the rise among students. Among the side effects of stress is increased risk of anxiety, depression, strokes, and memory impairment. This highlights why it’s so important to put our wellbeing as a priority, and add rest into our daily life. Additionally, a 2019 study found that having consistent, good quality sleep was linked with better academic performance. Your body and mind need rest to function properly, as it is vital not just for your physical health but your mental and emotional health as well.
Of course, this doesn’t equal slacking off work. This is why it’s important to find a healthy balance where you get the rest you need, while also completing your responsibilities. Scheduling your days, adding rest to your to-do list, and using studying methods like the Pomodoro technique may help you reach your studying goals without leading to self-neglect.
Personally, I always shower, light a candle, and brew a fresh pot of coffee as study prep, and when it’s time for a break I do a bit of yoga or watch an episode of my comfort show (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rewatched Avatar: the Last Airbender). Find what works for you, and incorporate things you enjoy into your routine. Some of the things you can try to relax and rest throughout the day are:
- Going for a walk
- Stretching and/or exercising
- Reading a book
- Playing with your pet
But you don’t have to limit yourself to this list! If you have different pastimes, work on incorporating them into your day or week. Find a balance that allows you to complete your assignments while also giving yourself the rest you require.
Taking care of yourself is important. Don’t forget that. <3