In our fast-paced world, the heightened stress of school often overshadows simple joys, such as enjoying the beautiful weather outdoors. The pursuit of academic success often leads many to neglect self-care in the pursuit of preparing for exams or striving for a perfect grade. These goals are great to aspire to, but ultimately are things that will have little to no impact on someone in five years.
Burnout is a state of complete exhaustion, mentally, physically and emotionally. Burnout is hard to snap out of since it makes many too tired to complete simple tasks that bring them joy. Throughout our lives, we have been told to practice seemingly small strategies such as movement and meditation to improve our moods and performance throughout each day. However, incorporating such small, yet scientifically significant practices into your daily routine gives numerous benefits.
In our digitally-driven society, it is easy to seek refuge in distractions like scrolling through our phones or playing video games. Yet, these temporary escapes fail to address the root cause of burnout. Mindfulness, often overlooked, emerges as a powerful antidote for enhancing focus and providing more cognitive flexibility. Researchers reviewed more than 200 studies which consistently proved that mindfulness meditation not only reduces stress but also helps anxiety and depression, according to an American Psychological Association article.
“Meditation has definitely improved my life,” sophomore Joey Romeo said. “It helped me reduce my anxiety levels and keep a level head like when I am stressed for a test meditate or getting ready for a fight.”
Incorporating mindfulness practices like meditation into your daily routine can provide a much-needed respite from academic pressures while fostering more self-love and self-care. As students strive for academic excellence, remembering to nurture their mind and body is truly the key to thriving.
