Author name: Oso J.

You work a 9-5, you’re a student, you’re a single parent, you’re a lot of things, you work tirelessly, you tell yourself it’s all a means to an end and eventually, you break down. Not just physically but mentally, your emotions and feelings change faster than you can monitor, food tastes like sand and Joy seeps away from you. You blame everyone and everything except yourself or you blame yourself so much that you end up depressed. I would like to let you know that several of these can be avoided if taken care of before escalation.  Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree.   The main difference between stress and burnout is that stress is a response to a perceived threat. In contrast, burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. While some stress can be beneficial, chronic stress can lead to burnout and it can be difficult to recover from. Here’s the truth: stress isn’t inherently bad. It can give us that extra push to meet a challenge or finish a project. But when that pressure becomes chronic, it can lead to burnout so how best can you avoid this situation?  Here are 5 steps that are sure to be of help  TAKE BREAKS: The importance of taking breaks from time to time cannot be overemphasized. Taking a step back from your day to day activities that cause stress and eventually burnouts is the key to staying on top of things.  IDENTIFY STRESSORS: Understand what triggers stress for you; Is it an overwhelming need to do exceedingly well or a deadline for a project submission? It could be a full schedule with no breathing space in sight.  Upon identification, you need to tackle these stressors before they escalate. Reduce the high expectations you’ve set for yourself and take things one step at a time, start early to avoid thrashing around when deadlines are close and rearrange your schedule so that it allows room for breathing. THE ART OF TIME MANAGEMENT: Create a realistic schedule, prioritize tasks, and don’t be afraid to delegate. Utilize tools like planners, calendars, and productivity apps to stay organized and avoid feeling like you’re constantly playing catch-up. Apps like Google calendar or Notion are incredibly useful and if you don’t have access to these, a good ol watch and planner can help too. PRACTICE SELF-CARE: Along with taking breaks, learn how to balance your sleep schedule, eat nutritious meals, exercise regularly and do things that bring you joy. It could be taking a walk or spending some time with family. Find activities that help you de-stress, whether it’s meditation, yoga, spending time in nature, or listening to calming music. LEARN TO SAY NO: No matter how enticing that job offer is, no matter the benefits a project comes with, if you are already swamped with work and activities or if you see that these will eventually cause a breakdown, learn to say no. You can decline politely and even make recommendations. Remember the end goal of you saying no is the avoidance of stress and burnout. Taking charge of your well-being is an ongoing process. Be kind to yourself, identify what works for you, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed. By implementing these tips, you can transform the chaos into calm and live a more fulfilling life. Take action today to manage your stress and prevent burnout. Remember, health is wealth. As the author Pearl Buck said,