Every morning before I leave my house or my dorm room, I always make sure to make the bed. If I’m running late, I make the bed. If it means I won’t be able to put on eyeliner, I make the bed. No, I am not a neat freak, but I know better by now that making the bed is the smarter thing to do.
When I leave my house in the morning, I don’t know what will happen. I could have the best day of my life, or come home wanting to cry and go to bed. The world is a crazy and scary place, you never really know what’s going to happen. You could fail a test, drop your coffee, or lose someone you really cared about. At the same time, you could get a promotion, and go out to celebrate with friends after work, or go out with your study group. You really just never know.
If you’re prone to anxiety, you know the worst thing for you when you’re freaking out, having an anxiety attack, or having an overall rough day is for something else to frustrate you. After a long day of classes and work, coming back to your room can be frustrating, especially when you now have homework to do. If the day was particularly bad, you’ll probably just want to go to sleep and end the terrible day.
Then you look at your bed: the comforter is on the floor, the sheets are coming off of the mattress, and all the clothes you tried on that morning are laying on the bed. Hundreds of things start to run through your head, but one thing sticks out “I wish my bed was cleared so I could just relax,” and as you clear the bed you remember why you didn’t wear that sweater, or the blankets start to tangle into themselves, making the task harder than it really should be.
Over forty million adults suffer from anxiety according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. This can range from feelings of stress, racing and unwanted thoughts, insomnia, nausea, trembling, a faster heart rate, and overall irritability and fatigue, among other things. These symptoms can start small, and soon start to interfere with your day to day life, making it hard to concentrate on your studies, and making it even harder to get out of bed. Those who suffer from anxiety can also suffer with depression and suicidal thoughts, which are just agitated by the anxiety.
College is full of stress: Making new friends, getting good grades, applying to internships and jobs, and for many being far away from their family and close friends. College age students (18-23) are less likely to discuss their feelings with those close to them, or even with a counselor because they feel invincible and think “everyone’s feeling this way.”
If you think you may be suffering from anxiety, there are many things you can do to check in with your body and mind, and make sure you’re okay. You can visit the school’s counseling center, and set up an appointment to discuss your feelings with a professional, who will help you realize if you have a greater problem. If you’re afraid to see a counselor, which you absolutely should not be (seeing a counselor and admitting you may have a problem is the bravest and strongest thing you can do) there are things you can do as well. There are helplines and organizations such as To Write Love on Her Arms and the Anxiety and Depression Asssociation of America that have resources and information available for you online.
On your own, you can practice yoga breathing when you start to have an anxiety attack (breathing in even and balanced breaths can help balance your heart rate), write in a journal, talk it out with a friend, work out, or sleep it off. But the most important thing you can do is set yourself up to have the least stressful day you can.
Which brings me back to my bed. I make my bed every morning in anticipation of a bad day, and though that may seem negative to think it is helpful. After a long day it’s nice to know that one thing will be put together when you get back. Though you may feel like your life is a mess, your bed won’t be. You can lay down and cry, nap, watch netflix, or sit down and do homework or read. No matter what type of day you’ve had, there’s going to be one thing put together, after all the little things are what will help you get through.
Our parents always told us to make our beds, but we always thought it was to keep the place clean, not keep ourselves okay.
If you or a friend is in immediate assistance for suicidal thoughts brought on by your anxiety or depression please call the National Suicide Hotline: 1.800.273.TALK (273-8255)
If you want more information of anxiety or depression please feel free to check out the sites below:
To Write Love On Her Arms:
Anxiety and Depression Association of America:
American Foundation for Suicide Awareness:
“Be loved. Be known. Love people and know people. Be so brave as to raise a hand for
help when you need it. Make friends and make sure they know they matter. Be loyal to
them and fight for them. Remind them what’s true and invite them to do the same when
you forget.”
Jamie Tworkowski