World Mental Health Day 2022 — Burn strong, don't burn out

One of our core values at Firebrand is care — we truly care for our students and one another.

Today, on World Mental Health Day, our message to you is simple: it’s okay not to be okay. It’s OK to slow down and take care of yourself, so you can go back in the game stronger and more determined.

Burnout is a form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling overwhelmed — mentally, emotionally, sometimes physically too.

According to the NHS, symptoms include feeling tired or drained most of the time, having difficulty concentrating, feeling irritable, cynical, or tearful, procrastinating, and resorting to substances such as food or alcohol to calm down or numb out.

Burnout can be caused by having too much pressure at work, but also putting too much pressure on yourself, trying to excel in multiple areas of your life.

Overachievers are especially prone to it, and it can take you out of the game for a long time. Recovery  can take years, causing you to completely miss out on the things you want to do.

So, this World Mental Health Day, take a break, take a breath, and check in with yourself. Are you overwhelmed? Talk to your loved ones, your friends, your doctor. There's help out there. Don't burn out, so you can burn strong when it matters.