Take a Break
Start writing a post
Sports

Take a Break

Why burnout is a serious issue

23
Take a Break

According to helpguide.org, burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands.

As a college student, burnout is something that occurs to us all. We may call it different things like exhaustion or senioritis, but in reality, it's more than that. It's a toll on the mind and the body and taking the time to get the help and rest you need to prevent such an occurrence should not be a bad thing.

I used to write for the Odyssey my freshman year of college. That was 4 years ago, for anyone who doesn't know. I was 18, and there were deadlines we had to meet every week for posts. I wasn't getting paid, so why was I stressing out over creating content every week? I eventually stopped writing and then, randomly decided to look up my old account to see if I could even make posts any longer. Surprisingly, it let me in.

I'm not complaining about the workload, that's the farthest thing from. However, as an 18 year old freshman, I was cranking out content that was getting worse every week. I was tired and running out of ideas.

I was experiencing burnout, but there wasn't a word for it, at least not in my mind. I just knew I was stressed and I knew what was causing my stress, so I quit writing and actually stopped completely, unless it was for school.

What can we do to prevent burnout? What can we do to help once we are burnt out? It's not really as hard as you might think.

Unplug

Often times, our stress is related to work. I know for myself, I work for Girl Scouts, which I love, but I'm always on my email refreshing to make sure I don't miss anything, even if that means sacrificing time with friends. I could be in the same room as them, and it won't matter. I'm still glued to my screen.

Taking an hour, two hours, maybe one night a week to turn off your computer or putting down the phone can greatly reduce stress. I now tell myself that after 6pm, I am not reachable via email and I will not respond until morning. (Unless it's about event planning. Those cannot wait, unfortunately.) I try to ignore calls and texts for an hour a night and just unwind. I found a new renewed love for reading and i try to read a chapter a night for myself.

There isn't one way to unplug. It's different for everyone. Trying to find one that works for you is always worth the try!

Take a walk

cdn.pixabay.com

Taking a walk or exercising can help get you back on track and feeling refreshed. I personally like to do yoga, as it relaxes me and helps me stretch out my back and knees. It gives me something to focus on rather than what is causing my stress. As a senior in college, not only am i stressed about school, but graduation, grad school, getting employed, the list goes on. Getting out of your dorm or your house can help you greatly, by helping clear your head and to give you a break from the mundane.

Take some time with friends

storage.needpix.com

Spending time with other people to vent and to relax is one of the best things i ever did for myself last spring. I was taking a course that would make or break my college career. We had to write our capstone project, and without a passing grade on the hardest course i ever took, which was a 400 level course mind you, I wouldn't be walking in May. During my editing of my final draft, i had a 8 hour breakdown because the stress and the pressure was too high. My college has an event every so often called the moonlight breakfast, where they feed us pancakes till midnight. I sent in my final draft and went to the event, still mid breakdown.

Being able to see other people and to vent about my anxieties was the best thing I could have done for myself. I removed myself from the cause and got to spend a night with people who cared about my well being. Without them, i would have gone insane from the stress. (For those who are wondering I got an 89 in the class, so win win for me.)


Burn out can be scary and it can make things seem terrible. But finding what works well for you can make your life so much easier in the long run.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52590
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33802
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956532
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181359
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments