Corona virus has changed the way we currently live our everyday life, our society looks drastically different, but there are some pros to this situation. If you’re a college student like me, then I know you have been exhausted, drained and running around like crazy this semester. Even those out of school had gotten crazy busy with all the hustle and bustle of the new year.

I first experienced burnout during my senior year in high school, one of the busiest times of my life. I was someone who was extremely involved. After spending 8 hours doing advanced academics, I would then go to band practice or debutante practice or work or any other extracurricular activity I had (and there were a lot). Then, I would stay up to sometimes 4 o’clock in the morning so I could do chores, homework, study for tests, and work on the clothing for a fashion show I was doing. And I would wake up at 6 am to do it all over again.

It was never ending.

This was my impossible routine for two years. It slowly drained me and I didn’t even realize it. The thing about burnout is that it happens slowly and silently, until it’s too late for you to even know it’s happening. You’re so distracted by life that you don’t think about small changes in your body or what it could mean. But after one too many naps, a few missed deadlines, and a slip in your grades, you finally become concerned. So ask yourself, have you experienced any of these symptoms recently?

• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• lack of motivation
• low energy
• extreme lethargy
• minor depression

What you’ve been experiencing is burnout. And what exactly is burnout?

BURNOUT: /ˈbərnˌout/ 1. the reduction of a fuel or substance to nothing through use or combustion 2. physical/mental collapse caused by overworking or stress

Burnout occurs when you overwork your body without giving it energy to sustain that work. It’s so easy for us to get distracted by the every day and forget to properly care for ourselves. It’s at times like these when major health issues can happen. If you play the Sims, then you’ve seen your Sim fall down to the floor to sleep when they physically can’t move anymore. This can happen to you too.

As we continue to practice social distancing, it’s important that you take this time to truly relax as much as you can. And when I say relax, I mean pausing all your work, your thoughts, your life, even for a few moments to truly listen to your body and see what it needs. If you’re having any physical symptoms, then it’s best to consult a doctor or medical professional. For all other symptoms, I created a list for things you can do to help battle your burnout. Feel free to share that list with someone else you think you may be experiencing burnout.

Make sure you share your tips for dealing with burnout in the comments. And most importantly stay safe a well during these tough times. For questions or concerns, reach out to me on my socials everywhere @kaevynlei!