One moment you’re reading some notes for class, and the next thing you know, intrusive thoughts cloud your mind. For many college students, anxiety is a pressing issue. Since March, our lives have changed drastically, contributing to our anxiety. As an extroverted human and prone to worries, having to stay at home and minimizing human contact has taken a toll on my mental health. Nationwide, an increase in stress and anxiety is at an all-time high. Whether it’s due to losing control over daily structure or COVID related anxieties, anxiety triggers are different for every person. To top it all off, virtual classes are adding pressure to our complicated lives. One thing you have to keep in mind is that anxiety is not permanent, and you will not feel like this forever. Over these past six months, I came across these six methods that put me at ease.
- The Basics
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If this is your first time coping with anxiety, you need to tell yourself that you are okay and that nothing is wrong with you. Try to identify your root causes and recognize that we are living through stressful times in a complicated world. Every person deals with levels of anxiety from day-to-day, but sometimes these feelings can be all-consuming for some. If you are experiencing physical and mental symptoms for the first time, it can be scary. Try your best to realize that you are overthinking, but do not doubt yourself. Do not try and distract yourself with meaningless distractions as your feelings will return only much stronger. The best thing to do is to cope with your feelings. Acknowledging your stress factors is the first step in grounding yourself.
- Journaling
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Sometimes, a therapeutic way to curb your thoughts is through journaling. Writing your thoughts down on paper can relieve the stress you feel and help you narrow down the causes of anxiety. Another form of journaling is planning out your schedule and making a to-do list. Scheduling helps you stay productive and eases your anxious feelings. Some relaxing journaling prompts to incorporate into your life is practicing gratitude and affirmations. Gratitude recognizes all the good in your life, from small events to big achievements. It sheds light on the things in your life that make you happy and puts things into perspective. Affirmations are forms of positive reinforcement that create a practical mindset and help you identify your most vital qualities.
- Exercising
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Exercising releases endorphins in the brain that make you feel happier. Any form of exercise— light or intense—is beneficial to your mental and physical health. Based on your level of anxiety, yoga and meditation may be helpful. I recommend looking up yoga and meditation videos on YouTube for reference. A good form of meditation is mindfulness. Imagine your peaceful place, which can be anything from the beach to your home. I always imagine myself in a moving car, watching the sunset. Using your five senses, immerse yourself in your peaceful setting, and describe every sensation. Doing this for ten minutes a day is a relaxing technique that helps me. Even creating a balanced workout schedule is beneficial. Running, walking, and working out helps reduce stress and exposes you to much-needed vitamin D.
- Practice Self-Care
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When I’m feeling overwhelmed, one method of relaxation I always turn to is focusing on self-care. Self-care means what you want it to mean. These days, I take extra time to treat myself. Block out some time in your day to do things that you like to do. Ditch your electronics and watch that favorite movie of yours, paint a pretty picture, online shop at your favorite store, cook your comfort meal, read a new book, etc. Part of practicing self-care is creating routines for yourself. Every night, I stick to a skincare routine that makes me feel like I am prioritizing myself. Going to sleep earlier and finding a night schedule that sticks is also a form of self-care. Planning out your meals and establishing a healthy diet is also important. Don’t be afraid to show yourself some love!
- Spend Quality Time
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Since we are at home more often, appreciate this time and spend it with your loved ones. Bring back family game nights and do old hobbies that you used to do with your parents. Reach out to your grandparents; it could make their day! Being with your family members instantly brings a sense of comfort and love. Also, don’t forget to keep in contact with your friends. Scheduling weekly virtual calls with friends is a useful distraction from your worries. If you can, meet your friends at a social distance. Having a picnic once in a while can help you take a break and unwind.
- Professional Help
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Don’t be afraid to seek out the help of mental health professionals. Sometimes, anxiety can take a toll on your quality of life. There are people who want to help you feel better. They will provide tailored care for your problems and create lasting treatment plans. Speaking to an unbiased source may be a more relaxing and effective environment for you. Speak to your parents, who can help you identify a good therapist.
I hope these methods produce effective results for you as they did for me. Remember: you are not alone and you will get through these stressful times in your life!