Student Life
Wellness
Mindfulness Practices in Reducing Burnout
Dear York Prep Community,
As quarter 3 ends and we begin the final quarter of the school year, it is important to be proud of the work we have all put in thus far, while also acknowledging the burnout that often occurs at this point in the year. Implementing mindfulness practices into one's daily schedule can be helpful in reducing symptoms of burnout.
What is burnout?
Burnout is a form of exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress. Symptoms of burnout often include feeling drained, loss of motivation, sleep difficulties, and decreased interest or pleasure in daily life.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a state of active and open attention to the present. This state is described as observing one’s thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad. Mindfulness practices are utilized in several therapeutic interventions, including mindfulness-based cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and mindfulness meditation.
Below are a few tips to incorporate mindfulness into your day to day routine to help you stay in the present moment:
Mindful breathing: Focus your attention on your breathing, the natural rhythm and flow of each inhale and exhale.
Tap into your five senses: Try practicing the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique, focus on 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste.
Visualization: Think of a place that makes you the happiest, take a moment to close your eyes and picture yourself there.
Active listening: Show interest in your conversations by practicing good eye contact, noticing non-verbal cues, and listening to understand rather than to respond.
Progressive muscle relaxation: One muscle group at a time, slowly tense and then relax each muscle, releasing tension in your body.
Like any skill, mindfulness takes practice. Every time you take a few moments during your busy day to incorporate mindfulness, acknowledge it as a win. Be kind to yourself and celebrate your progress.
As always, please reach out to members of our Wellness team with questions.
Warmly,
The Wellness Team
