What I wish I knew about burnout

As the exam period comes to an end with some still awaiting final exams while others finished weeks ago, many are left feeling absolutely exhausted; physically and mentally.

matchsticks burning

As the exam period comes to an end with some still awaiting final exams while others finished weeks ago, many are left feeling absolutely exhausted; physically and mentally. They may feel overloaded, drained and sometimes resentful and cynical towards that which previously brought them joy, this can lead to one isolating themselves. There may be physical signs like falling ill more often than usual, muscle pain and changes in appetite and sleep. This feeling of depletion could be due to a syndrome known as burnout; a collection of symptoms caused by excessive workloads, not taking breaks and lack of stress management-- it makes sense that students who often are juggling studies, work, extracurriculars, family commitments and the general rollercoaster of life without a natural time to recuperate may fall into destructive habits which lead to burnout.

So what can we do about it? If you’re feeling symptoms of burnout, know you’re not alone and that this is manageable and treatable. Looking after yourself is of high priority and shouldn’t be disregarded. Take steps like:

Taking a break: take time to rest and recuperate, engage in activities that recharge you. If you have a busy schedule remind yourself of the importance of looking after yourself and carve out time for a break

Physical Movement: this can range from simple stretches or short walks to more intense sports or time working out

Remove stressors: make sure your environment isn’t adding to your mental burden

Self-care:  this can be tough, self-care isn’t just about giving yourself a bubble bath or a face mask, it’s making tough decisions; learning to set healthy boundaries with tasks and engaging in actions that are beneficial to your wellbeing like practicing gratitude

Professional help: students still have access to the Advice and Counselling service (ACS) over summer, don’t be shy to reach out via AskQM, you can request a counsellor from a specific background if you want. For students who are awaiting graduation, you can still access ACS wellbeing resources and recommendations for low-cost organisations or reach out to your GP. Learning to advocate for ourselves is a very important skill

Stress management: break down tasks into small chunks and take things a step at a time, focusing on what’s in your control. You can find more stress management tips here

Prioritising commitments: knowing when to say ‘no’ is hard but makes all the difference to our mental and physical health. One way to do so is to think about your intentions or your ‘why’ when deciding whether to take on a task. This allows you to be wise in decision making by thinking about what is important to you or where your efforts can be of maximum benefit. Don't take on more than you can handle, be honest with yourself and others, stretching yourself too thin produces low quality work and harms you so it isn’t helpful for anyone.

Not dealing with burnout can lead to giving up on what we care about, relationships suffering and further hurt and ill feelings. It may be tough to learn to set boundaries but this is a lifelong skill that can optimise your productivity and allow you to reach your goals in a less destructive fashion. Remember that you’re not alone and support is available.

 

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