Thanks for your question. Many teens share this concern. Here are some things to consider.
First, it’s important to understand the source of your burnout.
- Is it because you’re struggling with a specific class (or a few)? Think about seeking out extra support from a teacher or tutor to help you understand the material.
- Is it related to feeling very busy and tired? Think about making time for self-care and consider whether you can take a break from some activities.
- Are you feeling unmotivated and/or generally have a low mood? Think about talking with your health care provider to see what can be affecting your mood, and what can be done to help.
Burnout can also be due to a mix of these things or something else.
In general, it can be helpful to check in with yourself about your burnout and take breaks as needed. Some things you may find helpful:
- Incorporate active self-care into your daily routine. This can include walking or dribbling a basketball.
- Schedule time for your schoolwork so that you can also schedule time for other fun activities.
- Ask your friends, parents, or a trusted adult for support.
- Reflect on your long term goals that are motivating and exciting.
- Consider taking 1 minute to practice mindfulness. Sit down, take a couple deep breaths, then close your eyes and take a few more deep breaths. Pay attention to how the air feels going in through your nose and out through your month. After 10 to 15 breaths slowly open your eyes.
Our health guides are developed through a systematic, rigorous process to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. Written and reviewed by experienced healthcare clinicians from Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and consistently ranked as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, these guides combine clinical expertise, specialized knowledge, and evidence-based medicine. We also incorporate research and best practices from authoritative sources such as the CDC, NIH, PubMed, top medical journals, and UpToDate.com. Clinical specialists and subject matter experts review and edit each guide, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, factual, scientifically accurate health information for young people.