Burnout is a state of mental, emotional and physical exhaustion that is very common amongst university students, especially when your assignment workload becomes gets heavier and more overwhelming.
The symptoms of mental burnout, or mental exhaustion, can vary from person to person at different levels – but the main signs reported by students are prolonged and intense feelings of fatigue and demotivation, stress, helplessness, anxiety and sometimes depression. It can also induce physical symptoms such as headaches, insomnia and gastrointestinal issues.
It is caused when a person experiences excessive levels of stress, and if repeatedly ignored or unmanaged it will worsen and become harder to control.
However, there are many steps that you can take in terms of managing your workload and changing your lifestyle or routine that can aid with easing the symptoms and help you gain your liveliness? back.
Here are some tips to help you fight through burnout:
Take breaks!
Although breaks between working may feel undeserved if you have not been able to get as much work done, it is crucial that you take some time away from your workload so that you don’t overwhelm yourself even more. Balance out your work and personal time – whether you go on a walk, read a book, watch a movie, listen to music or even try baking or cooking something new, taking some time away from your studying allows you to breathe and is certainly more effective than it sounds.
Reduce your screen time
Although spending time scrolling endlessly through social media is an everyday habit that almost everybody has, it is actually damaging in more ways than people realise. Not only can it form unhealthy mindsets, but it can have a magnetising effect by making you feel addicted to your phone which further impacts your ability to focus on your work and decrease your productivity. Instead, switch off your phone or keep it out of sight to avoid distractions and help you remain focused on the more important tasks.
Set more achievable and realistic goals
Instead of pressuring yourself to get a large amount of work done in one day, try to space out your assignments into smaller and easier amounts over different days. There is nothing worse than the looming feeling of an endless amount of work to do, so why not try planning out your workload in a way that you can do an equal amount each day to ease the pressures? In this way, you can prevent yourself from draining quickly while also saving some time for yourself, and don’t listen to the guilt – allow yourself to feel proud for getting through your tasks one step at a time!
Meet someone for a chat
Keeping your struggles with burnout to yourself can contribute to your stress without you even realising it. Socialising can be beneficial and comforting during the burnout process, so it is important that you don’t spend too much time alone. Whether you catch up with your friends to take your mind away from things, discuss your struggles with them, or reach out to a teacher for guidance on anything you need help with. Stirling University also offers free study and mental health support through its Student Support and Learning Services.
Go outside more (weather permitting)
Spending time outside in drier and lighter weather has been proven by professionals to boost your mood. Although Scottish weather is unpredictable, consider taking the opportunity to get some fresh air by going on a walk or doing your work outside when the spring weather improves. There are many beautiful trails, benches and picnic tables across campus to do so!
Eat well, sleep well, and exercise
Symptoms of physical burnout will worsen if you stop taking care of your physical health. Focus on making sure that you keep yourself healthy by eating nutritious meals every 3-4 hours (also remember to treat yourself every now and then), exercising regularly and aiming for at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Following these tips will help to boost your energy levels for longer.
Remember, regardless of how badly you may be suffering from burnout, you are never alone. There are in-person and online services within the university which offer free support to all students.
Featured image credit: Pexels.com
Third year journalism student at Stirling University