Understanding Burnout
April 29th, 2025
Writer: Emma Bobnar
Editor: Sophia Wohl
When we start to feel sick, we take vitamins or medicine, or maybe even get some extra sleep. But what do we do when our mind becomes so overworked that we lose motivation and become overwhelmed? It is easy to forget that our minds need love too. If we don’t take care of them, who will?
That feeling you get when your to-do list feels miles long yet all you can do is stare at your computer screen is what I define as burnout. It is easy to be hard on ourselves and feel lazy when this happens. But we fail to realize that our mind needs just as much care as any other part of our body. We brush our teeth, wash our hair, moisturize our skin, drink water, and fuel our body with the necessary nutrients. When we forget to care for our own mind and experience overload, why are we so quick to offer ourselves little forgiveness?
The solution to burnout may be simpler than we think. The first step is understanding that it is okay to feel this way. When you feel yourself struggling to keep up or keep going, know that it is time for a break, breaks are allowed. Even if it feels like you have no time, the smallest things can help reset your mind. Changing your environment, taking a 10-minute walk, soaking in some sunshine, laughing with a friend, calling a loved one, or engaging in a quick meditation are just a few ways to help your mind reset.
Burnout can make you want to skip ahead to a time where you are finished with it all. As we enter finals, I think everyone can understand this feeling. But sometimes burnout can be solved with a quick switch in our mindset. Being busy means that you are making progress. It means you are working towards an end goal and creating future opportunities for yourself. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am LUCKY to be busy.
We have become a society that is always focused on what has passed or what is yet to come. But what about this moment right now? Enjoy where you are right now. Even with final exams and papers, know that you will get through it. Allow yourself to feel overwhelmed. Allow yourself time to reset. You will get to your end goal. Take care of yourself in this moment so that you can celebrate when you reach it.
