Experiencing burnout? Here's what you can do about it

It's that time of the year again; students are inundated with multiple coursework requirements, deadlines, tests, exams, the list is endless. On top of that, you're still trying to make time for yourself and maintain a semblance of normal social life. If this sounds like you lately, here are some tips that will hopefully help you feel better.

So, what is burnout?

Burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion. It happens when you've been under a lot of pressure and have been experiencing a lot of stress at work or university, for a long period of time. You end up feeling drained because you probably don't sleep well through the night either. By your standards, you haven't had good day in a while and you're usually overwhelmed by all the work you have to do. People experiencing burnout can also feel helpless and demotivated.

1. Talk about it

Reach out to someone you trust when you start feeling this way. A lot of people (myself included) have a friend that they can call during times like these. This friend knows how you would like them to help you during your time of need. They have an idea of what they can do for you, what they can bring for you and so on. If they're unaware, then speak up. The people that love and care about you are always willing to help you and support you, but they won't know you need help if you don't verbalise it. If you don't ask, the answer is always 'no'. Don't be afraid to ask for help. There is no room for pride, your health is important.

2. Take. A. Break

I cannot stress this enough. Unfortunately, we live in a society that sometimes looks down on people when they take a break. We think we always have to be doing something, otherwise we won't be successful. Let go of these expectations and listen to your body. Otherwise you might have a bigger problem later.

Limit the use of social media and your contact with negative people. It's okay to watch the phone ring if you get a call and just don't feel like talking. It's okay to text people back much later. As long as you're simply focusing on yourself and not being rude- all of this is perfectly okay. Do something completely unrelated to work or studying. Try painting, drawing, going to the beach, writing or doing some yoga. Obviously, not everyone reading this will agree with all of these activities, but it's a start. There is no universal formula for maintaining a healthy work/ school–life balance, we're all different. Someone who is healthy and well-rested will be able to contribute a lot more at work or in class. You don't want to wake up every day already in a bad mood. The point is to enjoy life, to enjoy what you do.

3. Say 'no' to things that are not a priority

Set boundaries, people will understand. If something is not a priority, decline politely and narrow your focus on the things that will help you recover and be the best version of yourself. 'No' is a full sentence, and there is no need to feel bad every time you decline an invitation. You need to take care of yourself before you can be there for others- you cannot pour from an empty cup. I have talked about this topic before, check it out here.

4. Think about making some changes

When things like this happen, it's time to reflect on what could have gone wrong. Be honest with yourself. You also need to think about the kinds of people you're spending time with every day; how do you feel around them? How do you feel after you've interacted with them? Do they build you up or just exhaust you? The company you keep has a huge impact on your day and your mood in general, so be very picky. Make more time for things and people that make you happy. You will slowly start to feel like yourself again.

5. Give yourself some credit and don't be too hard on yourself

This is important because, as I said earlier, experiencing burnout can make you feel helpless and demotivated. Give yourself credit for identifying the fact that you need some time off, and understand that this is a process. You cannot recover from burnout overnight. Needing a break doesn't make you weak or lazy, all humans need rest in general. Like a muscle, the brain needs recovery time in order to develop and grow.

Thabile