October Slump: How to Avoid and Prevent Burnout

Introduction

Burnout is the scariest word for an ambitious high schooler. As one who always strives to produce the best work, burnout isn't uncommon to me. After working too hard and passionately on something for an extended period, tiredness and urges to do NOTHING plague my once-motivated mind. Burnout has become a constant battle of mine and, isn't helpful when deadlines pile up. By the end of this article, I hope you learn how this seven-letter word isn't as tough as it seems and how easily you can conquer it.

What is burnout?

Burnout is defined as emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion due to being involved in prolonged stressful situations. Burnout can show itself through various symptoms, such as exhaustion, feeling useless, and a growing hatred towards your passions. Not always evident at first, one can begin to realize they are approaching it due to a deflated sense of identity, loss of passion, and overall just feeling depressed. Some behavioral signs of burnout include isolation from others, procrastination, overindulgence of food or drugs, skipping work, or coming in late (I'm a repeat offender). Though many of us feel sluggish daily, prolonged inactivity can be a red flag pointing to burnout.

Why does it happen?

There are various reasons for why one may fall victim to burnout. For the most part, burnout most often stems from a job or school, but can also be influenced by your lifestyle choices. For example, burnout in one of those areas is inevitable if a person is constantly working on school, jobs, and activities, without giving themselves time to relax. The most common reasons for burnout in one's job/school include: lack of appreciation for one's work, working in an intensive environment, and working constantly without a break. Burnout pries on these weaknesses, killing a person's passion. One common misconception of burnout is that it only hits those who work high intensive lives. Burnout can occur in anyone, from a stay-at-home adult to a teenager in school; burnout has no age restriction.

How does stress differ from burnout?

Stress and burnout have many differences that may not be recognizable at first glance. Oxford defines it as, "Pressure or worry caused by problems in somebody's life or by having to much to do." While stress deals with immediate deadlines, worries, or problems, burnout is the buildup of all this stress, resulting in mental exhaustion. While burnout occurs from disengagement of passions, stress deals with over-engagement: both causing panic. Stress' panic are in the form of urgency, while burnout can make one feel hopeless. Burnout is definitely more grave than stress for several reasons. Stress can lead to anxiety and physical damage, while burnout is primarily emotionally damaging and can cause depression.

What are some ways I can avoid and prevent this?

The key to aiding your burnout can begin with recognition. Burnout isn't something immediate. It's a gradual process. By recognizing burnout early in your life, you can clearly identify ways to prevent it. If you are someone who feels they are possibly on the road to being burnt out, ask yourself these questions:

• Does every day seem like a bad dream?

• Do I often feel tired?

• Do I feel like my efforts aren't appreciated, and nothing I do can change it?

Self-assessment and reflection can help you recognize where your life's stressful, hectic parts lie. Though self-denial is evident initially, realizing your needs, expectations, and goals can create a more balanced and healthier lifestyle.

Works Cited

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/burnout-prevention-and-recovery.htm

https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-signs-burnout