Mind Over Matter: Practicing Mindfulness to Prevent Burnout

You made it. You’re finally here, out on your own and living the college life. But the fact is, “the college experience” isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be. On top of all the socializing and good times, there’s also tons of pressure. There are the courses, the endless papers, the relentless exams, the ceaseless stress. So how do you manage the challenges of college life before it eats you alive? One word: mindfulness.

What is Mindfulness?

In a nutshell, “mindfulness” is just a new-agey way of suggesting you use techniques taken from the fields of neurobiology, psychology, and holistic medicine to help calm both your body and your mind. It’s all about learning to stop stressing and be present in the moment. Research shows that practicing these techniques can literally create changes in your brain, enabling you to focus better, think more clearly, and worry a lot less.

How Do You Do It?

There’s actually no single “right” way to practice mindfulness, much of it will depend on the individual person, who you are, and what brings you joy and relaxation. For many of us, that means taking the time for a little peace and quiet. Getting outside to spark some creativity, going for a walk, and just setting aside an hour or so each day to clear your mind can be exactly what the doctor ordered when it comes to recharging your inner batteries and getting your creative and intellectual juices flowing.

Another thing to remember is that your brain needs time to rest. So that means no scarfing down your lunch while you’re in front of your computer trying to study and no all-night cram sessions. If you’re going to knock your next exam out of the park, or dazzle your professor with the brilliance of your next term paper, then your brain needs sleep, recreation, exercise, and good nutrition. True, these may not sound like the habits of a typical college student, but they’re certainly the habits of a successful college student.

A Little Plant-Based Therapy (and It’s Not What You Think)

Practicing mindfulness means developing those habits that help you become more focused, positive, and productive. It’s about caring for the mind and body so that you can do more and stress less. Sometimes, however, old habits are hard to break, and the mind and body get stuck in harmful patterns of worry and anxiety.

For example, when this happens, you might find that holistic treatments, such as the use of CBD-based products, can help calm the mind and soothe the body. Best of all, CBD-based products, unlike marijuana, are perfectly legal and they will not get you high. You can purchase them in oils, balms, capsules, and tinctures, among many other forms. When used in conjunction with other mindfulness strategies, such as exercise, meditation, recreation, and adequate sleep, they can provide the sense of tranquility and focus you need to handle anything college life might throw at you.

The Takeaway

Your college years may be the best time of your life, but that certainly doesn’t mean they’re easy. The many stresses of being a college student can quickly take their toll — but fortunately, you don’t have to fall victim to the college chaos. The practice of mindfulness can help you rediscover your calm, your confidence, your excitement, and your energy. But it doesn’t happen overnight. Like anything important, practicing mindfulness takes time and practice in order for it to become a habit that truly produces meaningful change in your daily life. So before you let the college life get you down, it’s time to start integrating the habits of mindfulness into your everyday routine.