We’ve all been there, looking down at the piece of paper that holds the list of assignments we have to complete for just one week. College is overwhelming. No one told us how hard it would be to balance school work, a social life, and maybe even a job. But we are strong, and we are powerful, and despite college being a daily struggle we can get through it and perhaps also have a little fun. Here are the ten ways to deal with anxiety during college:
- EAT HEALTHY
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Eating healthy and balanced meals are essential to leading good physical and mental health. For most people, the lack of a healthy diet can lead to adverse shifts in one’s mood, such as increased irritability or anxiety. By switching to a healthier, more balanced diet will help improve your average mood.
- EXERCISE
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Even though the gym may appear scary to some, that should not stop someone from working out. There are other ways of exercising that don’t include going to the gym, such as jumping rope in your room or running around your neighborhood. It is also scientifically proven that exercise is valuable and helpful to your mental stability and the way you think.
- THINK POSITIVE
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Sometimes when we are in an anxious rut, any outcome that does not go according to plan can seem far worse than it is. By remaining positive and open allows us to have a happier outlook on our lives and in stressful situations. It is easier said than done, of course, but try your best not to think that everything is worth than it is, in the end, it may not even be as remotely bad as you thought.
- LISTEN TO MUSIC
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Good, inspirational music can affect your mood and your overall outlook on life. By listening to feel good music, we might catch ourselves dancing and singing along, giving ourselves the much-needed step back from our anxiety. Music holds the capability to impact our moods truly, even if it is for a second, we are still giving ourselves that second to step back from whatever is bothering us and regroup.
- FIND AT LEAST THRE COPING SKILLS THAT WORK FOR YOU
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Not every coping skill is going to work for everyone. One might see a technique as pointless, whereas the same skill may be helpful to another. Our toolbox of coping skills should be personalized to fit us and what we have noticed works best. It is also a good idea to have at least three coping strategies at hand so we can see what will work best for that moment and for that specific situation and feeling.
- DON’T FIGHT THE CRAZINESS
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Sometimes we need to ride out the powerful wave of our different and ever-changing moods as they come and go. We need to be aware that hard moments do pass. Fighting our emotions, or even ignoring them, will only be effective short term, but in the long run, we must find a way to manage our feelings without hurting ourselves.
- GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
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Sometimes we find ourselves always on the move, and we can find ourselves feeling overwhelmed by that. It is true that college can take a lot out of us. I mean if our school work isn’t hard enough on its own, we also have to maintain a social life and sometimes even a job so we can pay for college and our living expenses. It is always good to set aside at least one hour a day for ourselves, so we can relax and give our brains a break.
- REACH OUT TO FRIENDS
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Trust me, when I say you are not alone in your feelings of being overwhelmed or anxious because of college or other factors of college. The likeliness that your friends are struggling as much as you are is high; we are just all too good at masking our pain. When feeling anxious, trying to reach out to a friend. In the end, you might find yourself feeling less alone, and they might even give you helpful tips or advice to help you get through moments like this.
- RESEARCH MENTAL HEALTH RECOURSES ON CAMPUS
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Most colleges have at least one type of mental health facilities offer to their students. There is nothing wrong with reaching out to those recourses and getting the help you may need. These recourses are in place for a reason, and it is to make your experience in college more stable and a lot more enjoyable.
- DON’T LET YOUR WORRIES STOP YOU FROM LIVING YOUR LIFE
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Repeat after me: your friends will stop fighting, you will graduate, and your life will find a way to allow you to succeed. You are only in college once and trust me, it not worth your time to stress about either the past or the future. Time in college is short lasted and valuable, so despite as hard as it sounds, try and make the best out of college.