Students and teachers share their tips for dealing with mental exhaustion
Makayla Boyer
Staff writer
January 19, 2023
Blurred Out- Artwork illustrates mind-blurring feelings caused by overwhelming stress.
With winter in full swing, burnout becomes a major obstacle for students.
According to the Mayo Clinic, burnout, a form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling swamped, is a common issue among students. It usually stems from jobs, school, and any other stress that may occur in daily life.
“One thing that is definitely a burnout for me is school,” Ava Schumann (12) said. “It doesn’t really matter what kind of day it is, school just always makes me exhausted.”
Others find difficulty in their routines. The school schedule permits little to no flexibility.
“For me, burnout tends to be caused by too much repetition,” Luci Bluto (12) said. “Routine is good, but when it’s followed by no excitement or change anywhere, I tend to lose motivation.”
Though everyone may have different coping mechanisms, knowing how to handle stress helps with perseverance and success.
“I usually just try to make the most of it by either listening to music during the school day or trying to meet up with my friends whenever I can,” Schumann said. “Whether it’s during passing periods or even just in the bathroom.”
Schumann also expressed that keeping up with school is important, and falling behind can add more unnecessary stress.
“Turn everything in and do it on time so that you stay on top of your grades,” Schumann said. “Once you start falling behind, it’s really hard to get yourself caught up which adds more stress.”
Bluto took a different approach, saying it’s better to relax rather than actively trying to fix the problem.
“I’d suggest not handling it but just waiting around,” Bluto said. “It’s easy to prevent [stress] by staying engaged and doing your part to keep things interesting.”
Mr. Joshua Miracle’s sports psychology class took a look into some solutions which help with the feeling of being overwhelmed in school.
“Find your why, purpose, and passion,” Mr. Miracle said. “Many people are over-committed, which leads to higher levels of stress.”
Finding ways to treat yourself during overwhelming times is also proven to benefit one’s mind while reducing stress.
“Create smaller habits that reward you on a more consistent basis to help keep motivation,” Mr. Miracle said.
While most burnout stigma revolves around students, teachers are often faced with similar issues.
“I’m not saying it doesn't happen; it certainly does,” Mr. John Oestreich said.”The difference between teachers and students is that we can take a day off when we choose.”
Being on the opposite end, witnessing the struggles and how students cope can be frustrating to teachers.
“I've been seeing it for years, some people deal with it better than others,” Mr. Oestreich said. “What I just don't like seeing is people who stop working, it comes back to bite them with regard to scholarships and getting into a college of their choice.”
Furthermore, while school can be draining, there are ways to make the best of it.
“I would tell other students to try and make the most of school in any way they can,” Schumann said. “Whether it’s with music or seeing friends, just try and make it a more positive experience.”