It has been over eight months since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. While some countries have been able to overcome this health crisis, here in the United States we are still struggling with the disease, and things seem to be getting worse.
With so many issues raging around us such as COVID-19, political upheaval, unemployment, and more, doing day-to-day tasks such as class assignments can seem minuscule in the grand scheme of things.
So many of us have fallen victim to the mental health crisis that is plaguing our country right now. An unnerving amount of evidence is showing the drastic impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the mental and physical health of populations across the globe. A Kaiser Family Foundation study found that 53% of Americans report a decline in mental health since March 2020.
With finals week a mere two weeks away, the stress we have all been dealing with throughout this semester is coming to a head, and while we should all give our best effort to our studies, it is important to remember that we are only human.
As a result of a pandemic that has been raging for months and has failed to get better, it is completely understandable that you feel fatigued and not at your best mentally. The uncertainty of your health, the health of those you care about, post-graduate plans, and finals week is a lot for you to cope with. The amount of stress and anxiety we are all feeling, and for such a prolonged amount of time, is unprecedented.
I say all of that to remind you that you are one human possibly carrying an unbearable load. For the last few weeks of this semester give your best effort and try your hardest, but also remember to take time for yourself, whatever that may look like for you. Whether it’s reading a book, going for a walk, or baking some cookies, take some time for yourself to relax and check-in mentally.
These times are stressful and we are all coping the best we can, so remember you are human, and you are doing your best, and your best is amazing.