We all juggle various roles in our work, study, social and family life. These roles can often be demanding and stressful. While some level of stress is normal, prolonged and excessive stress can lead to burnout.
Burnout is described as the state of physical, emotional or mental exhaustion. It tends to be associated with decreased motivation, lowered performance and negative attitudes towards oneself and others. Experiencing burnout can be detrimental to our health and can lead to long-term negative effects. Learning to balance work, study, and other commitments is important in maintaining your mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Here are our top four strategies for reducing stress and avoiding burnout.
Prioritise tasks and manage your time
Focus your time and energy on the most important and urgent tasks first. Prioritising tasks allows us to reduce our tendency to procrastinate, making it easier to achieve our goals. Tools like day planners or task lists can help organise your time so you can set aside dedicated blocks for work, study and leisure. With a clear plan in place, you will feel more confident in your ability to get things done.
Learn to say no
Sometimes, we can take on too many responsibilities out of guilt or fear of saying no. However, this comes at a cost and creates unnecessary stress. It is important that we learn to define our limits and stick to them. It is perfectly okay to say no, especially when you’re already juggling a lot.
Develop healthy habits
Staying hydrated, exercising regularly and eating a well-balanced diet is key to good health, but making time to connect with family or friends is equally important. Balancing your daily routine will help to improve productivity and resilience to stress. Consider spending some time exploring a new hobby and avoid things like cigarettes, caffeine and alcohol, which can be harmful to your health over time.
Practice mindfulness and self-care
Practising mindfulness and self-care reduces the negative cognitive and emotional effects of burnout and increases focus and concentration. Find times during the day to take a step back and breathe. Allow time for your brain to switch off and reset. Meditation and deep breathing exercises are a good way to help do this and help combat stress hormones.
Remind yourself to make life more than just work or study. Spend time with people and engage in activities that bring you joy rather than drain you. Know that it is okay to take a break and allow time for yourself.
Reach out and seek support
Don’t be ashamed about reaching out and asking for help. Know that you can seek support from colleagues, friends, family, a counsellor or a mental health professional.
If you are a Chisholm student and you’re going through a challenging time, Student Support and Engagement are here to help.
To chat more about finding a balance between work, study and life, book an appointment with our Student Success and Wellbeing Officers.
Call: 1300 244 746 (Option 4)
Email: wellbeing@chisholm.edu.au
Book online on myChisholm.
There are also a number of 24/7 support services available:
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 | kidshelpline.com.au
headspace: 1800 650 890 | headspace.org.au
ReachOut: Reachout.com
Lifeline: 13 11 14 | Text 0477 131 114 | lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 | suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 | beyondblue.org.au/forums
MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978 | mensline.org.au
Standby Support After Suicide: 1300 727 247
