Don't Burn Out

School is hard and  can be exhausting, make sure you find time to smell the roses

Burned out is defined as 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 Design with Ease

 “Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.

 Why should I care? 

   Burn out is caused by overwork working yourself and not allowing your self any breaks.  They found that 49 percent of students reported feeling “a great deal of stress” on a daily basis. Half reported doing three or more hours of homework per night, and 26 percent noted that they had been diagnosed with depression—over four times the national average of 6 percent.

  Spotting the early warning signs of burnout in a coworker, employee, boss, someone with whom one is in a relationship, a family member or friend can be difficult, as the condition can develop over weeks or months, as their response to work-related stress evolves.

 Here are some signs of burn out: 

Reduced performance and productivity 

Anxiety 

Detachment 

Feeling listless

Low mood 

Difficulty concentrating

Lack of creativity 

Fatigue 

    Sure school is important but checking in with yourself is extremely important. Looking after you physical and mental should be one of your first priorities in life. You will learn and take in more information when you are both healthy and happy. 

Here are a few ways to help you prevent yourself from becoming burned out:

 

Staying hydrated- Hydration has been proven to help with brain function Healthy 

Diet- A good diet can help you stay focus and offer proper nutrition 

Exercise- Not only can it help you physically but it has also been proven to help with brain activity. Sleep- Proper sleep is always key and can help you be more alert and prepared for your day. 

Brief Breaks- A small break can often help you refocus on a large task. 

Time management- You never want to feel rushed because that can bring on anxiety, so manage your time well. 

Staying Social/ Having Fun- This doesn't mean Social Media When thinking of staying social try to make time for family and friends, laughing and fun reduces stress and gives of feel-good endorphins. School Activities- There is more to a school than just studying and being overwhelmed, try enjoying school and making memories with school activities. 

Study- Take full advantage of all the resources your school has to offer, from study groups, tutors, library access, and so on. 

Burned out?- Never feel too ashamed to reach out and speak with someone, if you do not feel comfortable talking to a friend or family member. Try speaking with a counselor after all they get paid to listen to your problems without judgment. It should never be any shame in asking for help. The important thing is getting the help you need. These tips can also be useful for studying, organization, as well as mental health. See how many of these pointers you do now and how many you can implement in your everyday life. 

TIP CHALLENGE:  I challenge you to try at least 3 of these tips for two weeks. At the end of each week write down what has changed and how much it has helped you. For an extreme challenge try to incorporate more. If done correctly I guarantee you will see a change. If you should accept this challenge good luck and I know you can do it. 

references: 

https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2015/august/nyu-study-examines-top-high-school-students-stress-and-coping-mechanisms.htm https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/burnout-prevention-and-recovery.htm/ https://www.statista.com/topics/2099/stress-and-burnout/