With a new year, comes new stress. We all get it, but just because January 1st passed does not mean it is too late to make changes to better ourselves. With all the different pressures, responsibilities and anxiety built up, the most important thing is to not lose yourself. There are so many little things that we can do and that we can remind ourselves of to help have a less stressful 2017. Make this the year about you.
Enjoy Yourself
Do things that you know you’ll enjoy and don’t do things that you won’t. I know what you’re thinking (duh), but you’d be surprised how easy it is falling into ideas or activities that you aren’t particularly a fan of because everyone around you is. If you like hiking, go on more hikes. If you enjoy reading with a glass of wine in hand, then you do that. If you enjoy going to a bar with some friends to get a few drinks and let loose, go for it. Spend time with the people you love and make you feel good about yourself. Positive energy goes a long way.
Remember What’s Important
As important as it is to enjoy yourself in college with your friends, and believe me it is very theraputic to have that social life, don’t lose sight on what you are there for. These are the years you are building YOUR future and paving YOUR road. Not everyone is lucky enough to have the opportunity to get a degree. Don’t take it for granted. You’ll get opportunities here that you won’t get anywhere else, so take full advantage of what you’ve been given.
Remove Yourself From Negativity
If you feel yourself uncomfortable or like you need a minute, then remove yourself. Find an environment where you can take a deep breath and just relax. Gather yourself together for as long as you need. Go for a walk, spend a night at home, read a book, etc. Just do something that takes you out of a negative place. There is no need for unnecessary drama. You shouldn’t have to subject yourself to anything you don’t like.
Relax
College is stressful. Work is stressful. Internships are stressful. You can literally make yourself physically sick from keeping busy and always being on the move. Believe me, I’m always sick, but there are some things you can do at the end of the day to put yourself at ease:
- Workout (even just a 15 minute power walk around the track or on the treadmill) whatever breaks a sweat
- Yoga
- A hot cup of tea
- A show that makes you laugh before you go to bed
- A bath or a hot shower
- A book and some comfy sweats
- Sitting outside in the sun with some music
- Time to yourself
And if you have a day off, literally make it your day off.
Don’t Feel The Need To Explain Yourself
If you do or do not want to do something, you don’t have to justify it. The second you realize that you can decide things for yourself is very relieving, and people will respect you for it. I can’t stress enough how important this is. Don’t do something just because it is something everyone else wants to do.
Treat Others How You Want To Be Treated
Yes, we’ve heard this since preschool, but it’s amazing how a lot of people our age haven’t changed since. If people treat you poorly, never stoop down to their level. Treat them with the same respect that you would want to be shown. Karma will do it’s job sooner or later. It always does. Being the bigger person and showing a big heart and kindness, even to someone who doesn’t show it back, will still make you feel better. To get the respect you know you deserve, you got to own it.
Leave The Past Behind You
Moving forward is the only way you’ll get anywhere. What’s done is done and can’t be undone. So there is no use in fretting over something that already happened. Use that energy to fuel you into something better because there are greater things to come. If you feel it creeping up from behind, don’t turn around because you won’t see what’s ahead of you. It’s obviously in the past for a reason.
Put Yourself First
I’ve always been the type of person to put everyone else before myself, going out of my way for everyone and crossing oceans for people who wouldn’t step in a puddle for me. This year, I told myself I’d be more selfish. I don’t mean in the “this is my world and you all live in it” kind of way, but just in the “doing what I gotta do” kind of way. At the end of the day, you have yourself. Whether you are in a relationship, single, have a small circle of friends, or a lot of friends, at the end of the day, it’s you and being okay with who you are.
This is the year to grab the reigns and call the shots on your life based on what you want and not the people around you. 2017 is the year for you to take control over your own life without having to explain yourself. The second you start being okay with yourself and standing up for yourself, the better you’ll feel. Don’t let other people’s problems get in the way of doing your thing. You have more power than you think you do. So treat yourself, join that club, make that money, get on that grind and don’t let anyone stop it. Do what you have to do to live have a healthier and happier life.