By Molly Gaertner

So, you’re feeling burnt out. 

As exam season comes to an end you are far from alone in these feelings. Not to mention with all the changes Laurentian has embarked upon, many of us are having to make decisions we never expected to, only further contributing to this burnt-out feeling. 

Burnout is described as mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion and any student of higher education will be no stranger to this state of being. So how do you recover from it? Take time for yourself. Okay, that sounds easy enough, but is it really? 

Yes and no. It can be really hard to step away from everything that comes with exam season, especially with all of the looming deadlines. You might feel guilty stepping away like you are being lazy or a procrastinator. This is not necessarily true.

The best thing you can do for yourself and your education is to take care of yourself and recharge when you need it. 

Step one: unplug

So, you have recognized you are burnt out. This means different things for different people. It doesn’t always have to mean taking away all electronics, although it can if it is what is best for you. For me, it changes from situation to situation. Sometimes unplugging means a day spent outside, reading, or crafting and staying away from all electronics. Sometimes it means turning email notifications off on my phone, school group chats, and other school-related apps. It might mean stepping away from my laptop completely, or at least closing down my assignments for the time being and using my laptop for fun activities.

So there is step one. Unplug in whatever stage will be most beneficial for you. 

Step two: get some quiet time

Quiet time is a little misleading as well because once again this looks different for each situation and person. Sometimes it calls for absolute silence (or as close to it as possible). Sometimes it means listening to soft music, an audiobook, or a podcast. Sometimes it means meditation, Qigong, or yoga in order to quiet the mind and bring focus to healing.

Maybe you light a candle, turn on a Scentsy, or use that essential oil diffuser you always forget you have. Soft scents can help calm the mind and body and bring your thoughts away from stressors. 

Step three: rest and relaxation

Get some rest!! As always this can be taken in different ways. Some people are prone to all-nighters during exam season or at least very late nights. So make your bed, get all your softest blankets and pillows. It takes ten minutes or less to make yourself a comfortable oasis. Then turn on your favorite movie, take a nap, or plan for an early night at least once this week. 

Pro tip: good nutrition = good vibes

Make sure to drink plenty of water and eat some nutritious snacks whether some granola bars, fruits, or vegetables. I know how easy it is to binge on whatever candy, chips, or desserts are available while you cram but your body needs the nutrition to function properly.

I know you probably don’t want to go grocery shopping in an attempt to get rid of the last of your random food staples in your cupboard before you move home for the summer, but living off cans of beans isn’t that good for your body or brain.

There’s no guilt in eating what’s convenient, especially during times of stress, but you need healthy foods too. 

Your body needs recovery just as much as your mind does, even though that might feel counterintuitive. What’s so physically taxing about writing exams? Quite a lot! So give yourself a break emotionally, mentally, and physically. Whether you have finished exams or you still have a ways to go, take care of yourself! Your body will thank you later no matter what comes next for you.