Firstly, Introduce yourself! Who are you, what do you do, and what are your passions?
My name is Maddy, I am 24 and have just finished the second year of my Naturopathy degree. I'm passionate about all things holistic living, nutrition, cooking and travel. I currently work part time in the wellness space alongside my studies.
As a student, what are your experiences with feeling burnt out, and what are the things that usually lead you to feeling this way?
Even as a health student, I am all too familiar with burn out. Burn out usually happens to me when my priorities aren't in order and I lose sight of my boundaries. This happens when I don't say no to things and don't honour my needs, even if that means taking a day off from study or work, or missing a social event.
When you go through a period of feeling burnt out, what things do you do to initially shift your focus and mentality to get back on track?
When I feel burnt out, it usually means my body and mind need rest. For me it's the simple things that allow me to re-energise and find balance. Morning walks, coffee or dinner with my friends or my boyfriend, a nice home cooked meal or simply taking a day to do nothing. As well as this I try to create a healthy social media space by following people that inspire me and remind me of the bigger picture.
Throughout the semester, how do you check in with yourself, and make sure you are prioritising you?
I think one of the biggest ways I check in with myself is by journaling. If I'm feeling overwhelmed, putting pen to paper usually clears my mind. Being in nature or by a body of water is also so soothing and allows me to see where my mind is at
Juggling study, work and your social life, how do you make time each day to do things just for you, and what benefits do you see in turn?
I'm definitely not perfect at balancing it all, but I like to look at the little things and turn them into rituals. My morning coffee is a ritual, cooking myself a nourishing meal, journalling, dancing and listening to music. These are all relatively small things that I look forward to each day and turning them into rituals by being present grounds me. I think I'm all round happier and more grounded when I prioritise myself.
How do you also prioritise your physical health throughout a school semester? What helps you ensure you are eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep, and how much does this improve your academic performance?
For me my studies are a constant reminder to look after my health. If I really lose sight, I try to ask myself what are energy givers in my life, vs energy takers (this applies to anything; health, people, habits). I try to make looking after myself enjoyable. I love walking and podcasts so that's my main form of exercise and I've recently started doing pilates. I make cooking fun by listening to music and trying new recipes. I definitely notice a big shift in my mood when I prioritise myself and that directly impacts my productivity. You can't pour from an empty cup.
What would an evening in your life look like, unwinding and relaxing after a stressful day at school or work?
An evening in my life unwinding would be dim lighting, all my lamps and candles on. A nice shower to rinse off the day, then cooking dinner while listening to music. If I feel like it I also love a glass of red wine. At the moment I am loving making anything Ottolenghi and I love trying out new recipes.
You can find Maddy on all social media @lifebymaddy.
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