By Madison Headen
Mental exhaustion, commonly known as “burnout”, is defined as a prolonged period in which one is exposed to stressors that cause mental and possibly physical consequences. It is different from stress because stress is the experience that one has in response to specific events. Mental exhaustion occurs when an individual is constantly experiencing stress, resulting in negative emotional and physical effects. With the copious amounts of work and pressure that students are receiving amidst online school, mental exhaustion is extremely common. It is important that students are able to recognize this trend in themselves and others so that they know when it is necessary to make changes in their own lives or reach out to others to prevent mental exhaustion from becoming an ongoing problem.
Burnout is viewed in three different dimensions by psychologists. The first dimension describes exhaustion. The second dimension involves depersonalization, in which people withdraw from others or have negative attitudes towards their peers. The third dimension is described by reduced accomplishment or productivity. Those that are experiencing burnout could experience one, two, or all three of these dimensions.
The mental signs that someone is experiencing burnout can include symptoms associated with common mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. It can also include symptoms that disrupt one from being productive such as lack of motivation and difficulty concentrating, which results in a decline in productivity. Symptoms that can be associated with depression include pessimism, hopelessness, detachment, anger, and feelings of dread. It can be hard to pick up on many of these symptoms if a friend is feeling them, but it is important to understand them so that if someone is experiencing mental exhaustion, you can be an outlet for them.
The physical symptoms of mental exhaustion can be very severe, but they are often ignored and attributed to other causes. Physical symptoms associated with burnout include headaches, stomach pain, body aches, fatigue, insomnia, changes in appetite, susceptibility to illnesses, and weight changes. While it is hard to attribute physical illness to specific causes like burnout, it is important to notice major changes like these in your own physical health in addition to others.
Common ways to handle burnout include activities to decrease stress. Exercise can help to reduce stress and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga have been shown to reduce cortisol levels. Taking breaks from stressful work and devoting time to yourself can also help with limiting stress levels. Obtaining a proper amount of sleep each night is another way to prevent burnout as well as many other aspects of physical and mental health. Perhaps the most helpful technique, however, is removing the stressor from your life.
The dilemma that accompanies burnout is that there is often no real solution. When your stressor is your job and your schoolwork, there is not an easy way to remove the stressor from your life. Mental health professionals have not been able to come to a decision on whether or not burnout should be considered a mental illness. Regardless, it is important to take time for yourself and improve the parts of life that are in your control in order to be mentally and physically healthy.
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