Pandemic burnout is real and here’s how to conquer it

We are all thinking the same thing. Is this pandemic ever going to end? How much longer are we going to have to be online for school? Well, all I know is that this semester has been one of the toughest in my college career and since the start of the pandemic, motivation has been hard to find in all aspects of life.

Along the way, I have figured out a routine for myself to follow throughout the week in order to be my most productive self. Most of us are full-time students and have part-time jobs on top of that. It may feel overwhelming at times to think of all the responsibilities we have. With our workloads feeling a little more intense and the boredom of the same monotonous routine it can take a toll on our mental health as well. So while we have tasks and responsibilities we have to conquer every week we have to make sure we work in healthy habits to our routine too!

Keep a Planner/To-do list

This is your lifeline. Having some kind of planner or to-do list handy at all times is key to keeping yourself organized with work and school. It helps to set goals for the week and make sure it is updated daily. My favorite ways to do this is by using the Reminders App on my iPhone as well as the Sticky Notes feature on my MacBook.

I make different lists on my phone and set reminders for myself to make sure I do not miss any deadlines. It is so satisfying to be able to cross or check off something on your to-do list. Staying organized is key to being able to handle a busy school and work schedule. It is motivating to see your list get smaller because it helps you get through the rest of your list.

Establish a good environment for study or work

The worst thing about remote work is finding an environment that is the most productive for you. I found out really quickly that my apartment was not a productive environment at times.

Let’s say I have a ton of homework to do one day I will make sure to wake up early to go to my favorite coffee shop, Caffeine Roasters, in South Tampa. Tucking myself away in a corner with an iced latte and focus music playing from my AirPods is my perfect work environment. Something about being surrounded by people also drinking coffee and focused on their own work or schoolwork is motivating for me.

We are fortunate enough that here in Tampa coffee shops are open for business but for those living in areas that aren’t don’t fret the perfect work environment is still possible!

If you are confined to staying in your own living quarters my number one tip is to make sure that the area you are working in is at least tidy and that it is NOT your bedroom if you can avoid it. A long time ago I had read somewhere that using your bedroom as your workspace could affect your ability to sleep well. It is good to separate the two.

Listening to a good study playlist on Apple Music or Spotify is also helpful to maximize concentration. Again, everyone has their own study rituals music can be distracting so when deep concentration is needed I listen to music that has no vocals, like movie scores.

Incorporate exercise/ meditation into your daily routine

Exercising a few times a week can help with keeping you energized and feeling good. Some weeks are busier than others but squeezing in at least 30 minutes can change your entire day.

If I don’t go to the gym in my apartment complex I will do yoga in the living room because yoga first thing in the morning has helped set a positive tone to the beginning of the day.

Meditating on the days you can’t be as active can be great for handling stress and anxiousness about work or school too. It has helped in my own life a great deal in conquering anxiety and frustration from school.

Adopt a healthy sleep schedule

Having healthy sleep habits can do wonders for your happiness and wellbeing. Personally, on weekdays going to bed at 11 pm at the latest is my goal. And, regardless if I have to be up early or not the next day I avoid “sleeping in”. Sometimes too much sleep can make you feel more groggy the next day. I try to wake up around 8 and 9 every day. Even on the weekends. I know that sounds psycho but unless I have a gnarly hangover I try to be up and at em by 10 am.

Reduce Screentime, pick up a hobby

As is we are on screens A LOT of our day. When you aren’t on Zoom for a class or in a work meeting instead of scrolling through Tik Tok, or switching on Netflix try to fill up your free time with other activities. I know this is easier said than done but here are some non-screen activities you can try. Too much screentime could increase the feeling of burnout and it’s good to expose yourself to a variety of things to do:

• Read a book.

• Take up knitting

• Organize your closet

• Deep clean your room/ apartment

• Go for a walk or bike around the neighborhood

• Try out a new recipe for dinner that night

While it is okay to watch tv and scroll through your social media accounts in your free time, I am just encouraging you to try to reduce those types of activities, especially on weeks that you know you are going to be busy and have a big workload.

Make good use of your weekends

Your weekends are meant for you to relax and while sometimes that isn’t possible due to school and that part-time job you might have, if possible taking off a Saturday or Sunday for just “you” time can be beneficial. Everyone deserves and needs a day off. Doing homework on the weekends is usually a must but kind of spreading out your workload and not leaving all of it for the weekend can ensure that you can have a full Saturday or Sunday to do what you really want to do.

Pandemic burnout is something we are all facing especially students. So don’t worry because you are not the only one who has been feeling less motivated and productive than usual lately. I hope these tips help with conquering the burnout and you incorporate them into your life. In the end, it is all about the mindset. If you think positively about getting yourself out of the burnout phase you will get through it!