“I don’t focus on what I’m up against. I focus on my goals and I try to ignore the rest." —Venus Williams
August is flying by and September is rapidly approaching. We know this can be a point of stress, as sometimes it can feel like just when you’ve gotten some sort of routine down pat, the seasons change and so does your schedule. Soon, for a lot of people, days will go from soccer practice, beach trips, and swimming lessons to the everyday hustle and bustle of managing school, work, plus extracurricular activities and hobbies.
Being a busy bee can be tough, we get it. Not only can juggling so many tasks be emotionally and mentally draining, but let’s be honest: burnout is real, and it doesn’t just happen to adults. For students, the school year brings the “pressure to grind your way to academic success”. Burnout can often leave us feeling helpless. It manifests in three main ways: emotional exhaustion, detachment, and a diminished sense of accomplishment.
Burnout can happen to anyone, regardless of age or occupation. Here are a few tips that can help assist in helping you get back on track to doing what matters to you:
- Take Breaks: Step away from your tasks to recharge. Go for a walk, listen to music, or engage in a relaxing activity.
- Set Boundaries: Learn to say no and prioritize your tasks to avoid overwhelming yourself.
- Seek Support: Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your feelings and experiences.
- Practice Self-Care: Engage in activities that promote your physical and mental well-being, such as exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep.
Not feeling burnout? Let's pivot to focusing, and how the lack of it can affect not only your work life, but also the balance between work and life! Lack of focus can be caused by a variety of factors, such as being hungry or tired, or finding distraction in your environment.
Here are a few tips on back-to-work productivity, specifically focusing on, well, focusing!
- Move to an area without unnecessary distractions.
- Silence notifications on your phone.
- Close the door to your office.
- Play calming white noise.
- Declutter your workspace.
Now that we’ve talked about burnout, as well as some tips to help with improving focus, we hope that you’re able to tackle the busy weeks with strength and endurance. Whether you’re running around to dance recitals, hockey games, parent-teacher meetings—or just need that extra boost to get you through school drop-off and pick-up, we are here for you with not only tips and tricks to tackle the rough stuff in life, but also with real fruit flavours and natural caffeine!