Burnout: The Silent Procrastinator
Written by Jenna McConnell
Banner and thumbnail photo by Photo by Tony Tran on Unsplash
Burnout is a sneaky and dangerous thing. It creeps up in the shadows, striking when you least expect it. It can cause many problems including procrastination, and can leave even the most disciplined person unable to focus. It can be extremely difficult to navigate, as it poses unique challenges and symptoms for each person. As intimidating as it sounds, however, burnout is not the destroyer of motivation and productivity it is frequently made out to be. There are ways to effectively treat and prevent the affliction that will hopefully help us all learn a healthier and happier lifestyle.
Burnout: What is it?
So, what is burnout exactly, and what can it look like? According to the Oxford Learners Dictionaries, burnout is defined as “the state of being extremely tired or sick, either physically or mentally, because you have worked too hard.” I think a lot of us can understand the feeling, as the exhaustion that comes with having so many daily tasks and obligations on your plate can be debilitating. It is very common to experience burnout at some point in life, and it can make one feel quite powerless to stop once it hits. The real power, however, comes from recognizing the signs and learning how to cope with them. Some of these possible symptoms of burnout can include the aforementioned exhaustion, along with things like reduced enthusiasm for work/activities, an increase in low moods and cynicism, and much much more. You may have insomnia, stomach disruptions, and feelings of self-doubt and anxiety. Once again, this is all unique to the person, and it is important to know that one or more of these do not automatically mean burnout.
Once a person identifies that they are in fact burnt out, what can they do? First of all, identifying the cause of the burnout is a great step! I had no idea that there were so many different causes of burnout, but there are a multitude of culprits. According to WebMD, burnout could be caused by unfair or unmanageable treatment at school or work, confusing and large workloads, lack of sleep, or a lack of time to relax and decompress. Once you identify the symptoms you are experiencing, and figure out what might be causing you to feel this way, you can begin to brainstorm coping strategies.
Ways to Deal with Burnout
There are many ways that someone can take steps to improve their mindset and get out of the burnout state:
Set Boundaries: Ask for less or more flexible hours at work if possible, request extensions for assignments if allowed, and set boundaries on social time with friends or family. Saying no when you aren’t up to it is absolutely okay, and will help you find the time needed to recharge and break through the burnout!
Practice Mindfulness: It has been proven time and time again that mindfulness techniques do wonders for our sense of calmness and control. If you take time to engage in breathing exercises, meditation, or (if you’d like some physical gains as well) even a spot of yoga, you can help your mind become blissfully clear and ready to take on the next challenge! The Homburg Centre is a great place to begin your search, as they offer free yoga classes as well as many other programs for students that you may find beneficial.
Prioritize: When you have limited mental resources, it is a smart idea to focus only on the more important tasks at hand. This can take away some of the helplessness of having too much to do, and will make actually getting work done feel less impossible. Prioritizing your health and making time to take breaks is vitally important, as one of the best medicines for burnout is rest.
How to Prevent Burnout
Create a designated workspace in your home; making a point to not do work outside of that space will help establish the work/life balance.
Make time for self-care during your free time, whatever that means to you. Taking the time to do something you enjoy is always useful for our mental health, and is an important way to feel rested and rejuvenated when you return to work.
Ask for help when you feel the signs of burnout creeping in; it takes a village, and the people in your life will surely be happy to be there for you.
Burnout can be tricky to navigate, but not impossible. It's important to implement a plan that works for you, and I hope these tips and tricks can help. If these symptoms seem to persist, however, all is still not lost! SMU’s Counseling Centre and Residence Wellness Team are both there to support all SMUdents in whatever you may be struggling with, burnout or otherwise. And remember; everyone gets worn out from time to time, and it is certainly nothing to be ashamed of. We all need to rest and take care of ourselves in both mind and body, and you should do all that you can to keep yourself happy and healthy!