Here at UW, we are in the midst of midterm season. Everyone is busy and stressed. In times like this, it is especially important to take a step back and check in with ourselves. It’s too easy to get caught up in the craziness of studying and schoolwork and not take care of ourselves. Focusing too much on school can be a bad thing. While many of us value our grades, our obsessive study habits can cause us to burnout. As we continue through midterm season, UW students should focus on finding a balance between school and everything else in our lives.
Everyone is in college to learn, but sometimes we forget to prioritize our health, especially our mental health. Staying healthy, physically and mentally, is significantly more important than any grade. Yes, it sucks to not do as well as you hoped on a midterm, but it is important to remember that it is just one grade. There is still time to change study habits and improve your mental health at the same time. There are so many small things that can be incorporated into a daily routine to improve mental health.
Taking a short amount of time to take a break and destress will make you feel so much better, as well as help increase productivity when you continue working after. Activities to unwind look different for everyone. Some people like to completely unplug from their work and relax. Maybe that’s meditating, journaling, or just taking a nap. Doing an activity you like is also a great way to take a break. This could be playing a sport or doing another form of exercise. Some people may take a more creative approach and want to play music, read, write, draw, or paint. It’s also so important to talk to someone when you feel stressed or negatively impacted by your mental health. Sometimes talking to someone can make you feel better. If not, now someone can check in on you or get you help, if needed. It is so important to take breaks from homework, even if just for a few minutes, for the sake of our mental health.
Activities to destress can help us feel happier and be more productive in our busy days. Please, take a few minutes to evaluate where you’re at and how your mental health can be improved. Make a plan to take time for yourself and continue to perfect your balanced study routine.