Tips to Prevent Student Burnout
Student burnout is a real phenomenon. Its symptoms are varied and can include fatigue, headaches, and depression. If you are concerned your child is showing some of these signs, encourage him or her to follow some of these suggestions:
Do something physical. Encourage your child to do something physical outdoors. Give her a choice of activities and join her if you can. Being active in a fun, non-competitive environment may be the way to go.
Do something fun or out-of-the-box. Suggest catching a comedy at the movie theater, sharing a beach picnic at sunset, or eating dinner at his favorite place to take his mind off school and studying. The idea is to change the scene and encourage him to switch off.
Don’t push yourself if you know you don’t have to. For older keiki, prioritizing assignments can help reduce stress. If your child is jumping ahead so she can have a free weekend and it’s causing anxiety, remind her to pace herself.
Get enough sleep. A lot of changes take place in young bodies, especially around puberty. Make sure your child is getting enough sleep for his needs. Forget about his friends’ sleeping habits or what the books say. Encourage him to sleep as long as he feels the need.
Create technology-free time. Make sure the devices are switched off and out of sight. Too many teens have their cell phones charging overnight in their bedrooms. Any alert or vibration can affect the quality of sleep or rest your teen is getting.
Eat healthy foods. Enforce a healthy diet only as much as possible. Our kids’ bodies need a broad range of vitamins and minerals to stay fit and healthy, and to allow optimum output. Make sure they have a reduced sugar diet and watch out for the sodas. Water is best!
Helping your child stay on track at school in a balanced, healthy way can help prevent burnout. With a few simple breaks throughout the day, healthy foods, and some fun thrown in, students can learn to relax and laugh a lot more.
