4 ways to keep yourself emotionally engaged

We’ve all experienced emotional burnout in our school work. It’s exhausting and it makes you want to give up trying! You’ve probably found this blog post because you’re experiencing some of that right now. But I’m here to give you 4 ways to combat this burnout, by replacing your fatigue and negativity with gratitude and positive affirmations.

Being emotionally PREPARED for our study sessions can boost our performance and memory, sometimes even more than just having “the right answer” or the knowledge to fulfil a task. The tremendous effect our brains have on our bodies have been studied for long periods of time. Before we can get back to focused study sessions, we need to deal with the bug in our brain.

1. Think about the near future

Before you begin to tackle that difficult assignment or exhausting homework, close your eyes and sit in a shaded room. Sit in a chair or on the floor, wherever you are comfortable. Then close your eyes and begin to slowly envision where you want to be in the next few years of your life. If that’s at university, or tafe, or undertaking an apprenticeship, imagine where you’ll be doing that work. Who is around you? What are you doing? What has brought you to this moment? Considering the impact your current schoolwork will have on your future career (or even next year) will assist you greatly. Your mood will improve, you’ll start to feel more motivated, and after regularly practicing this method, you’ll actually WANT to start doing your homework without needing help. Win-win!

2. Consider your impact

Think about the impact this work will have on your life. Think deeply (and ask questions) about why the teacher might have set that work for you. Chances are, completing this work will ultimately strengthen your understanding in a new concept. Your teacher wants you to be successful, and this is them holding up their promise to you. By doing this work, your brain will learn some new information. It might even inspire you to think about what your future career might be.

You should also consider the impact directly put onto your teacher. He or she has a deadline to meet, too - so the sooner you finish your work is another load off of them. A happy teacher is a happy student!

3. Practice gratitude

How do you do this exactly? Well, it’s similar to thinking about the near future. Except, when you sit down and close your eyes, list all the things you’re grateful for. Mum or dad, a caregiver, your teachers, shelter over your head, food in the fridge, air-conditioning during the summer. It can be anything. But make sure you write these things down so you can come back to them later. Keep adding to your list over time and you’ll see just how much you have to be grateful for!

4. Do a meditation

You can use an app to do this. In fact, Smiling Mind is a wonderful app which has specific programmes targeted towards young people in high school. Times are changing, and young people are under more stress and pressure than ever to succeed. Smiling Mind makes the everyday just a little bit easier, and - bonus! - they’re perfect to fall asleep to.

Of course, if you can’t get access to an app like Smiling Mind, YouTube is full of meditations and calming noises to centre your mind and loosen the tension in your shoulders.

Ultimately, you have to do what works for you - these are just my top 4 ways to keep yourself emotionally engaged. Subscribe to our mailing list and let us know which of the 4 tips worked for you!

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