Hi all!
Can you believe it is April?! I certainly cannot! We are in the home stretch of classes and coursework to keep up with. I for one have been feeling some of the effects of burnout and thought it was only fitting that we talk about how to recognize and address feelings of burnout when in the busiest time of the school year.
As a student-athlete, it can be challenging to balance coursework and my sport. I often try to view lacrosse practice as a time to free my mind from the everyday stresses that being a junior in college can bring about. For example, at lacrosse I try to keep myself focused on the task at hand (playing) and pick up where I left off with classwork and homework after those two hours of practice have gone by.
This is sometimes easier said than done. Stress doesn’t just magically vanish into thin air despite my wish that it would and can often be felt even at lacrosse practice. It is during these times that I utilize meditative breathing techniques to recenter myself and ground my mind and body when I am at practice.
It is also great to rely on friends, teammates and peers to be centers of support when going through the most challenging time of the semester. I am fortunate to have a supportive class year on the team, and I often turn to them when I feel myself drifting from practice. It won’t always be perfect but deep breathing and friendship can certainly help in alleviating some of the tough feelings that come with burnout, especially at the end of the semester.
As the end of the year draws to a close, I want to reflect on how much I have accomplished and how much as a community Wellesley has grown in such a short time. Just like the blooming flowers, our campus is busy and bustling with the same energy. Here’s to the final home stretch!
Until next week,
Anna Tutek