Dealing with Academic Burnout
Sometimes we feel so overwhelmed with tasks and expectations that we forget to take a break, and our bodies decide to take it for us.
We call burnout the state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress.
It manifests as feeling overwhelmed, emotionally and mentally drained, and unable to meet constant demands; it comes hand in hand with anxiety and decreased motivation.
What to do when you feel burnt-out
Take a break. I know it will probably feel very hard, but you need to slow down and address the fact that you can't keep going as you are. Remember that your mental health needs to be the priority.
Reset. Allow yourself to do things that relax you and make you happy! But most importantly: do it without guilt. Meditation and exercise are great tools to drain all the negativity away. Treat yourself with your comfort food, your favourite show, hanging out with your loved ones and everything that will clear your head and make you feel good.
Remember that everything goes. Right now it feels like there's no end to the stress, but I promise you there's a near future when you will be on the other side. Life will go on, and what is the worst thing that can happen? Remember you have time. Remember you are allowed to catch your breath, to rest, to reset.
Start over. You can't keep going like you were before. After you've taken care of your mental health you can start trying again, with a clear head and renewed energy.
Prioritize and organize. To avoid burning out again in the future, you need to have a plan: I don't mean having everything figured out, but keep in mind what is really important in the long run and don't forget it. If you need it, schedule regular breaks so you make sure you are taking your time to rest. Identify the more important tasks, and be realistic about your goals.
Stay healthy. It goes without saying but remember you need to properly "fuel" your mind and body to achieve what you want. Get good rest, eat enough and regularly, oxigenate your cells by exercising and listen to your body when it signals that you need to slow down.
Every case is unique and I know by my own experience that it is not easy to take a break and not feel guilty about it. But what we need to remember is that in order to be the best version of ourselves we need to take care of ourselves first.
