Have you ever felt completely exhausted? Or perhaps the one you like most has turned tasteless. Many people believe that Covid-19 can help us achieve work-life balance since we can simply manage our time when working from home and doing household chores at the same time. I admit that I am loving my "stay at home" period. It allows me to spend more time with my family, experiment with new dishes, or just do something I would never do previously, such as regular exercise or planning my future life. However, there are times when I feel like I'm burnt out, whether it's from office or study stuffs.

Those who know me so well absolutely understand that I am a person who enjoys spending time outside and that I always aim to travel at least twice a year, either domestically or abroad. I like meeting new people, visiting new places, and learning about new things. Unfortunately, the epidemic has eliminated any opportunities to do so. "Stay at home" is no longer the notion I'm looking for. Sometimes it feels like we have a restricted number of activities to choose from, especially when you don't have enough room to express yourself.  But what can I do now? I'm still thinking of the strategy "how to cope the burnout?" while I have to "stay at home".

Today, I attended a "Stress Management Workshop" hosted by Australia Awards Indonesia (AAI), which was specifically designed for AAS Scholarship awardees. This four-hour webinar assisted awardees in dealing with the uncertainty and remaining sane till the departure time. When I first received the invitation, I thought to myself, "this is the one I need." A month of Pre Departure Training (PDT) and having to stay in front of a computer about 6-7 hours a day has drained my energy significantly. Perhaps not because of the workshop's content, but it relates to the same actions that I must perform practically every day, and in each of these activities, I must consider more carefully than previously. It occasionally makes me exhausted, which I refer it "my burnout phase". Again, what should I do? The workshop gave my some answers:

1. Practices a number of hobbies.

In general, we should like what we do. However, at an unpredictable time like this, it is preferable for us to consider doing what we enjoy, such as our hobbies, especially when we have free time to do so, on the weekend maybe. Prior to the epidemic, my main passion was traveling and taking photographs. It is now impossible to do. Thus, I should think of additional hobbies, or "home activities," that I may do at home to assist me get over my burnout. I prefer to choose daily exercise such as yoga and jogging. In addition, I want to have mediation and provide self-therapy for myself, such as through writing sessions (like I am doing now) and listening to numerous relaxation music. If my spouse or some friends invite me to participate in new and exciting activities, I will gladly accept.

2. Do regular exercises.

As I previously stated, practicing regular physical workouts has become my new habit. By doing some exercises, I can refresh my mind as the activity has improved my mood and reduced feeling of anxiety. I believe this is a good approach for overcoming this type of burnout.

3. Communicate with family and friends.

Humans, as a social creature, require communication with others. We can not just walk outdoors and meet up with relatives or friends in the thick of the pandemic. We, therefore, should use the current technology to help us in maintaining our relationship with others. Maybe through social media or just simply calling our family and friends. Talk to them, share your stories, build a connection. Then it will help us to face the hurdle amidst the uncertainty.

4. Calling a professional.

If we are unable to practice no. 1-3, this may be the last option. Getting in touch with a specialist and having a good consultation. To be honest, I've never attempted to consult with a psychologist. I was mulling this over recently and I reckon, maybe it can be a great solution for those who need some helps, especially when it comes to mental health. Well, I am sure that it doesn't mean that we are crazy, haha, LoL. Having contact with a specialist is the same as having contact with a general practitioner, it's as easy as that. As long as it relieves our burnout and keeps us sane, why not?