Mental Health & Creative Healing

Page 37

BURNOUT PART 1.

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Words by Tiff Webster

How can tutors and course leaders support students who experience burnout? First of all, what is burnout? Burnout is a term that was coined by American psychologist Herbert Freudenberger, in the 1970’s. Freudenberger used it to describe “the consequences of severe stress and high ideals experienced by people working in ‘helping’ professions.” However, the term has become more common, as it can affect not only those in “helping professions.” Anyone can suffer the symptoms of burnout, whether you are an activist, a stay-at-home mum (or both), or a student. Put simply, burnout is synonymous with overexhaustion. It is the result of being overspent; putting in too much work and not getting enough time to rest. It is being entirely consumed by taxing activities and having little balance in one’s life. This prolonged mental, emotional and physical stress becomes excessive, and eventually leads to an inability to function as normal, in turn affecting one’s quality of life. Symptoms of burnout can be extreme tiredness, insomnia, losing interest in your passions, a weakened in immune system resulting in frequent bouts of illness or heightened symptoms of depression and anxiety. The simple solution to burnout, would be to just make sure you allow yourself time to rest. #mentalhealth #sonevents.

MENTAL HEALTH & CREATIVE HEALING. // 37


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