Maybe It’s Not Just Procrastination or Laziness: Some Signs You’re Having a Burnout

It is indeed true for most of us that life as a university student can seem to be the most lively and impassioned phase in our life. Nevertheless, the downside of being a university student is that life can also get incredibly heavy. Most of us have some days when we feel powerless, overwhelmed or even nothing at all; it is those days when getting out of bed requires willpower as big as when Jesus splits the ocean. Perhaps, you are not just being lazy and procrastinating; you might be having a burnout.

So what does it mean to be burned out? Burnout is a negative state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged excessive stress and the inability to cope. If you don’t properly address the issue, you may go spiraling and have more tendencies to be depressed. To be more aware of your emotional well-being, here are some signs that you might be having a burnout.

1. Your hobby no longer excites you.
Are there any sparks of enjoyment in doing the activities you used to love? If not, then this disinterestedness may stem from being emotionally drained. But, at length, it relates to the lack of willingness to do everything.

2. You are isolating yourself from others.
Nothing is wrong with wanting alone time, but self-isolation could also be very dangerous. Isolation is an unhealthy social detachment where you stop participating in activities you typically like.

3. Change in appetite and/or sleep habits.
Maybe it is not that you’re just lazy to cook and eat or that you prefer to use your phone rather than sleep for ‘revenge leisure’ after a long working time. Instead, it is a physical symptom of burnout that eventually leads to lowered immunity.

4. You turn to addictive habits for comfort.
This includes smoking, substance abuse, eating, et cetera. Be careful with the words “but this is the only thing that makes me better for the moment.” Remember that you are using a temporary solution for a permanent problem.

5. You have escape fantasies.
When you are in class or at a social gathering, do you wish you were somewhere else, like laying in bed, having a hot tub, or just somewhere in the clouds? This prolonged stress that causes burnout can make it hard to concentrate on the task at hand.

If you feel like this applies to you, it is okay! The first step to recovery is that you manage to recognize and acknowledge that you are burned out. Psychologists recommend the following tips for recovering from burnout: track your stress levels, be open about your current vulnerabilities to someone you feel closest with, practice self-compassion, remember what makes you happy, and pay attention to your needs.

Last wise words: do not let the outer chaos destroy your inner peace. They coexist with each other to create wisdom.

Written with love by Samara Jetta

Interested to know more about having a burnout? Check out our podcast with an expert via this link https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Ku0g87n30YcWawPsiVCti?si=4e99a97bb171416d