Ask BeeGee: Dealing with burnout

By Zoe Finholm//

Burnout is a state of exhaustion that is caused by prolonged periods of stress. The lack of breaks and the fast pace of this semester have led many students feeling this way.

According to Psychology Today, the signs and symptoms of burnout can be both emotional and physical.

Some symptoms can include

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of motivation
• Increased feelings of anxiety, depression or anger
• Headaches
• Lack of productivity

Unlike most illnesses, burnout doesn’t go away with time. In fact, it usually gets worse the longer you wait. In order to stop burnout from progressing, changes must be implemented.

Here are some things that you can do when you are dealing with burnout.

• Prioritize what needs to be done first. Some of your tasks can wait until you feel more motivated.
• Allow yourself to take a break from your tasks to have some alone time.
• Remember to do activities that make you happy. For example, if you like going on walks, take a walk around campus or a park.
• Take advantage of the activities around campus. Hood hosts events on Wellness Days to help students rest and recharge. These events are free and fun.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, reach out to a counselor by emailing healthservices@hood.edu, or call 301-698-8374.

If you have any questions that you would like BeeGee to answer, email blueandgrey@hood.edu.