WELCOME BACK TO OUR LAST SUMMER SERIES EPISODE!
As much as today’s episode is geared towards the kids, I’m pretty sure this is one that the parents should tune into too, because we’re talking about dealing with pressure and burnout.
Kids get burned out too and parents are not sure how to help them. Today’s episode is allowing me to jump in and support you with some ideas on how you can navigate getting burned out or having too much pressure or feeling stressed out. This is something that kids are facing, and we need to give them the tools, the resources and the encouragement to face it head on.
So kids, if you’re feeling that pressure, if you’re feeling stressed, if you’re worried about going back to school and navigating all the things, this episode is for you!
Let’s raise them up right!
IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:
[1:48] A Modern-Day Kid Has It Rough
As a kid in the modern day, you are up against a lot more than what we, old folk in past generations, had to deal with. Words like “anxiety” , “perfectionism” and “depression” weren’t really in the vocabulary of kids when I was growing up, but it’s absolutely something you’re dealing with today.
Today, I want to help you understand those terms and what you really are going through and then, give you the tools to deal with it. Because guess what? Just because everybody else is doing something one way doesn’t mean you have to. This entire podcast is all about leadership. Be a leader and pave your own path, do it in a way that aligns with you and your values and your family. So here’s some thoughts and ideas to help you (and your parents) when you’re feeling like things are getting to just be too much and you just need a break.
[2:51] Asking for Help
Step one. Talk to someone about how you’re feeling. Don’t let this fester. Don’t let this turn into a thing. When you’re navigating something hard it is your responsibility to face it, to deal with it and to do what you need to do to work through it. Learning to ask for help when you need it is a skill that is going to serve you when you grow older.
[4:28] Having Fun
The second thing is to do something fun just for the sake of doing something fun. If you don’t have fun as a kid, you better kiss it goodbye forever because life gets only more busy and more complicated as you get older. When was the last time you had hours to yourself to just be and do what you love? And I’m not talking about sticking your face in a phone but something that gets you living life and having fun and playing because that’s what you should be doing. Too often today we’re spending our time on things like school and extracurriculars and then our free time is spent on devices and our days feel like a giant to-do list with a mindless activity. No wonder you feel like you’ve got too much going on. Ask your mom and dad to give you an afternoon off, plan a day of things for yourself: read, create something, go out in nature, call a friend, do something that lights you up.
[5:48] Just Being
Number three is gonna feel tough as a kid because it’s just as tough as an adult. There is value in stillness. What do I mean by that? As a kid in today’s world, you’re always on the go, and you’re never really pausing until it’s time for bed. Try just sitting quietly even for five minutes and notice how it makes you feel. You probably feel like you want to crawl out of your skin. But there’s actually a lot of value in taking those moments to be quiet and to just be. Pay attention to the thoughts and the feelings that come up. The way you get burned out is ignoring the thoughts and feelings and just keep going.
[6:58] Put Down The Screen
Number four is to put down the screen. I’m sure you hear it all the time, but it’s true that spending all of our time looking at a screen, whether it’s a TV or a phone or iPad or computer, has a negative impact on us. It is hurting you. It is robbing you of your childhood and your happiness.
[7:55] Fuel Your Body
Number five is how you fuel your body. Think about your sleep, what you eat, how you move your body. All of these things can play a role in your energy and your mood, and if you’re feeling burned out one of these areas might be where to start. Sometimes burnout is just coming from the fact that our brain is not getting what it’s needing and small changes in the right direction can make a big impact on your overall well being.
[9:00] The Real Change
Finally, don’t feel like you need to do all the things that are listed. I don’t want you to feel like you have more on your to-do list, more stressors that make you feel more burned out. Instead, pick the ones that resonate with you and try to implement them, stay consistent and that’s where the real change comes.
I hope this episode adds some new tools to your tool belt when it comes to dealing with pressure, stress and burnout. And if it did, make sure you share it with your friends! Tag us and let us know what you think, what you want to learn more of and what you’re going through.
We would love it if you would subscribe and leave us a review! And come connect with me on Instagram at @elizhartke and if there’s a topic, a question or a guest you want to hear on the show or an idea you have for us, just reach out and share that.
We do this for you so the more you tell us the more we can serve!
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
