Starting off the second semester right! Making sure to take care of your mental health should always be a top priority.
During COVID-19 and quarantine, many people have begun to go stir crazy. In fact, I was that person who was trying to figure out ways to distract myself from being bored with everyday life while not knowing when the COVID-19 craziness would end. With the many thoughts in my head during quarantine, you would think that having so much time on my hands would be beneficial to help the running list of things I needed to accomplish get done. In reality it was quite the opposite. Feeling trapped within my own thoughts I knew I had to find an expressive outlet. Whether that outlet be journaling, therapy, walking, listening to podcasts or music, calling a friend, meditation, or anything else. I needed something that could distract me for my own good and walking was something I had to find.
I personally was drawn to the idea of walking. Not only is working out or being active good for your physical health it can also help clear your mind both physically and mentally. A daily walk or run outside can improve your brain health. Working out improves blood flow and memory which stimulates chemical changes in the brain that helps you to learn and think. This allows you to let go of your thoughts and be in a better mood overall. Who wouldn’t want to fix this?!
There are many different kinds of walking that allow you to do different things. Walking alone helps you to think about yourself personally and focus on accomplishing daily tasks. You could call clients or work colleagues, listen to music or a podcast or finally have the time to call your mom! Walking with a partner or friend is also fun to do as you can chat about life as well as bounce ideas off each other. Walking with the same friend can help you stay organized and on schedule to get your workout time in and well as push each other to get things done and stay on task.
While at school it is sometimes challenging to find a walking buddy since no one wanted to go outside in the cold weather. Since weekly testing is being administered, the hope is that more kids will want to be outside and find a walking buddy that they feel is covid safe. As the weather becomes warmer, more people will want to be outside, ready to soak up the sun. Students and faculty outside walking to class is refreshing to see and becomes an incentive for some kids. Personally, I know that when I see kids outside, it makes me want to join them!
College life during a pandemic is challenging for everyone, so finding at least one way to cope with the situation at hand is much needed. Your answer is to try taking a walk outside. During this crazy second semester, it can be hard to break away from school work and extracurriculars but it is always necessary to take time for yourself and focus on you!