Hey everyone! Happy Thursday! The semester has officially started at OSU and let me tell you, it has been an ADJUSTMENT! I'm trying to get used to all the people being back and getting back to a "school schedule" but I'm already missing the summer. For all of those that have started classes, GOOD LUCK! I hope you are getting into the swing of things and I wish you all successful semesters. #HotNerdFall #HotGirlSemester
Okay, now to the topic for this week. We decided to blog about how we deal with burnout and I think this post is right on time. It's important to recognize when you have too much on your plate before it gets too bad. Here are some ways I recognize burnout in myself and what I do (am currently doing) to fix it.
My Signs
- Restless Sleeping
So one of the first things that happens to me when I'm on the verge of burnout is I get restless when I'm trying to sleep. I toss and turn all night and wake up more exhausted than the night before. Also no matter how much I "sleep", I still never feel rested.
- Lack of Motivation
When I'm experiencing burnout I have zero motivation whatsoever. Regardless of how many things I have to do, I won't do any of them because I don't feel like it I'll push things off and the only thing I'll actually want to do is absolutely nothing.
- Increased Irritability
My last big sign that I'm burnt out is that I'm overly irritable. My fuse is beyondddd short with people. A lot of times burnout is coupled with feelings of inadequacies and that can manifest itself by you taking it out on someone else. I try to be aware of times when small inconveniences make me extremely upset or when I'm a little extra rude to people.
My Solutions
- Practicing Mindfulness
This is something new I'm trying. I tend to drive myself crazy about what's coming next, so I'm trying to be intentional with practicing being present. I bought a mindfulness journal and it's been helping me focus on what's directly in front of me and has been giving me tips on how to better manage my stress and anxiety.
- Saying "NO" and Setting Boundaries
I have the worst habit of trying to take on the entire world. I'm a work in progress, but I am doing a better job at saying "no" to people and opportunities that I just don't have the capacity to engage in. I am human and I have limits. Learning how to set personal and professional boundaries is essential to staying mentally healthy and I encourage everyone to be diligent in setting and maintaining them.
- A Positive Mindset
You have to combat those negative thoughts that come with the feeling of burnout with positive ones. Speak positively about yourself and where you are on your journey. It's easy to focus on the bad, but try to find solace in the little things that make you happy. If it helps, log all of your positive thoughts in a journal or a note on your phone. Put them somewhere that you are reference it when you're having a bad day.
- Having a "Dev Day"
"Dev Days" are days that I take completely for myself to get rejuvenated. I put my phone on "Do Not Disturb" the entire day, deep clean my apartment while listening to some music, cook myself a big breakfast/brunch, participate in 1 - 2 forms of pampering myself, and it typically ends in Chipotle. It helps me center my thoughts and it makes me feel good about myself. I have a habit of taking care of everyone else before myself, so this way I make a day all about me. I also pre-program "Dev Days" in my phone for every 2-3 months so I don't schedule over it.
Have any other solutions to recovering from burnout? Tweet me some responses.
-The Chemist
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