20 Ways to Spice Up Your Life When You're So Burned Out You Want to Die
***This post has been updated to 20 ways from its original 16 ways.***
I've worked full-time all through graduate school for the last 4 years (hallelujah for tuition benefits) while taking classes part-time. It was busy but doable.
This semester, I went full-time school and full-time work in order to graduate sooner. Oh.My.Goodness. I DO NOT recommend this. I have never been so busy and stressed in my life (I've yet to encounter motherhood). Senioritis and burnout hit around midterms and just kept getting worse.
So I'm dedicating this blog post to all those overworked people out there. Here are the ways I found to make life a little more bearable when you feel like you're drowning -
1) Nurture a support system - No need to try to play it cool and act like you've got it under control if you're crumbling inside. Be open to your friends and family about how exhausted and stressed you are, then show genuine appreciation when they offer support. And always ask about their lives with genuine interest.
I seriously live off messages like these
Pep talks, please!
2) Keep visual reminders - Remember what you're working towards and keep your #eyesontheprize. Remind yourself what you're sacrificing your time, money, energy, and sanity for!
Hung this on my wall and counting down the weeks til I get to wear this oversized robe
3) Eat mostly healthy and then indulge - Make sure to fuel your body with lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein but a few times a week, indulge your cravings!
SHRIMP AND GRITS!! I've been waiting for this - I cleaned that bowl gooood.
4) Wear comfortable and/or colorful clothes - Less dressing to impress others, more dressing to cheer up yourself.
Good to be green
5) Listen to music - Duh, right? Go with your mood. Upbeat when you're unmotivated and tired. Calm and acoustic when you're exhausted and need to chill. Fun and funky when you need a dance break!
Spotify, I love you more than I can say
6) Wear perfume/cologne - Scents can have a huge impact on your mood. Why not make yourself happier by smelling good?
My favorites are 3 & 4
7) Exercise and stretch - Squeeze in whatever movement you can whenever you can (stairs, morning stretches, jumping jacks, etc.). Our bodies are not meant to be at desks and staring at screens all day. Moving your body also rejuvenates your mind, helps stabilize your mood, and makes it easier to sleep.
Booty-shaking at Zumba class #sweatsogood
8) Find reasons to laugh - Laughter instantly dissipates stress. Laugh at the ironies in your life. Watch funny videos or talk to a funny person. I recommend Jimmy Fallon (love him) and hidden camera videos.
YouTube entertainment with the fam
9) Add variety with accessories and makeup - It's tempting to resort to wearing the same thing every day to save on decision-making energy but that just makes all the days run together. Find little ways to make each day a little different by switching up your socks, purses, jewelry, makeup, belts, ties, etc.
This is actually all the super old makeup I tossed so I could start a fresh collection
10) Find creative outlets - Use a different part of your brain by doodling, trying a new recipe, going to a new workout class, watching a movie out of your regular genres, playing an instrument, writing poetry or a blog post, or whatever gives you freedom to create something new.
11) Plan incremental rewards - Research shows the anticipation of a vacation brings more happiness than the actual vacation. So plan trips and events weeks or months in advance then mark it prominently in your calendar between the tests and papers. Buy something you've been wanting for a while but keep it wrapped and unused until a certain milestone.
Bought a few too many concert tickets after my tax returns but I'm so excited for all of them!
Splurged on this beauty as a post-graduation gift to myself :D
12) Get out in nature - Nature can be healing, and you don't need to go far. Just the fresh outdoor air and sunshine can do wonders for the soul. Go hiking, have a picnic in a park, walk along the river/ocean/lake, etc.
Oh blossoms, you make my heart flutter
13) Get outside yourself and serve - Being busy tends to make us too self-absorbed and overemphasize our own problems. Switch up your perspective and practice altruism by looking for ways to serve others. Deliver a snack, write a card, offer to tutor a classmate, train a new coworker, send a text/email to check in on someone, lend an ear or lend a hand.
Mentoring a fellow aspirational student affairs professional :)
14) Just say no - Sometimes all you need is quiet time by yourself to read a novel, write in your journal, daydream, or sleep! Let go of FOMO and don't allow yourself to feel guilty for turning down social invites to recharge. This is especially true for introverts or ambiverts whose extroverted sides are spent.
I will be here all day - Do Not Distrub
15) Count Your Blessings - Do it often, especially during hard times. i.e. "I hate studying, but I'm grateful for my education." "I don't wanna go to work today, but I'm grateful for a job." "I'm so tired, but I'm grateful for my body." "I wanna sleep all day and I can't, but I'm grateful for a warm dry bed." I could go on and on but you get the idea :)
One of my old gratitude journals
16) Ask for hugs - Human touch is healing. If you're embarrassed asking for hugs, offer free hugs ;)
Love hugs from my little bro
17) Picture worst case scenarios - Let your imagination run wild about how much worse your life could be (taking 6 classes instead of 3, losing all your limbs, getting burned at the stake, etc.) and you'll be relieved to come back to reality.
I could be stuck on Mars alone like Matt Damon
18) Apply it to your life - Abstract theories can seem irrelevant to everyday life, which makes studying tedious and assignments seem like busy work. Try to make it personally meaningful so you don't feel like you're just jumping through hoops and biding time til graduation. Actually incorporate it into your life.
Studying psychopathology, I realized everyone I know is somewhere on the spectrum of some disorder, which helps me have more empathy for people. I'm a tiny bit OCD, can you tell? ;)
19) Pray - God did not send us here to fail. Assuming you have honest and good endeavors, remember that Heavenly Father is proud of you and wants to help you succeed.
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