The first thing that comes to mind when college girls bring up health is no doubt the Freshman 15. Everyone is hyper aware of the stigma attached gaining weight and no one wants that to be them. So we all try to attempt to keep from stuffing our faces and looking like this every night when studying.
While I have to agree that gaining fifteen pounds is not an ideal situation, there remains a much larger component of health – mental health. A common pitfall of entering college is feeling the need to constantly surrounded by other people. No one wants to appear as if they don’t have friends or don’t fit in, but truth be told it is HEALTHY to spend time alone. It allows you to prioritize your own needs and discover what you really enjoy. So go ahead and hit up Mac or Lower on your own.
Before you pull this lovely Scott Disick face, hear me out. Eating alone pushes you to embrace the idea of being alone wholeheartedly. It is too easy to read these suggestions and then spend some time studying in your room alone believing that you are giving yourself some alone time. When studying you still aren’t focused on yourself – you are focused on comprehending the material. True alone time means doing something just for you. So consider some of these alone time activities: journaling, running, listening to music at the amphitheater, crafting, or anything else you feel at peace with. Don’t worry they are all really cool. Even Snape approves.
I know that this is the point where everyone is thinking, BUT FOMO ( fear of missing out). Do not worry. Missing one hangout session, or even a few, does not make or break a friendship. If anything, taking some space from a friend or friend group you are constantly with makes you guys grow closer as you realize you miss each other. It can hurt a friendship to spend too much time together because it is easy to feel overwhelmed and you start to associate that overwhelmed feeling with that person, rather than the situation.
So next time you are feeling a bit off or feel crazy busy, take that alone time.
Photo Sources:
http://mylifethroughlizziemcguire.tumblr.com/post/35844944912
http://cluelessfreshman.blogspot.com/2013/09/ooh-look-funny-gifs.html
http://universe.byu.edu/2013/11/07/24-senior-first-world-problems/
http://www.thehanmadetales.com/2013/06/say-no-to-fomo.html
http://www.dirtbagdarling.com/wellness-finding-time-to-be-alone/