A Finals Week Mental Check-Up
Praise Santos
Issue date: 4/23/10 Section: Life & Times
Over the next week, creatures with dark-rimmed eyes, hungry bodies, and heavy cargo will roam our campus: students studying for finals. It is that time in the semester when a focus on mental health is often neglected but necessary. As important as it is to stay mentally healthy in these trying times, the term 'mental health' has a stigma attached to it. When it is mentioned, many images come to mind such as shrinks, jackets of the unfashionable straight sort, and prescription drugs.
Mental health should instead be thought of as "getting through the challenges in life," enjoying relationships, and knowing what makes you tick and what makes you smile. By understanding yourself you can more easily take care of your mind.
Many of the hardships we go through, such as anxiety and stress, are perfectly normal. These feelings have the purpose of pushing us to get work done, warn us about dangers, and let us know what we do and do not enjoy in life.
Find what works best for you during these anxious times. For some, going on a bike ride can most effectively clear the mind. Others find that listening to music or picking up their beloved instrument can make their mind skip to a different beat.
If you do not play a musical instrument then bongos and the cowbell require little to no previous musical skills. Others have found a run, a warm bath, hot tea, or YouTube-ing as other relaxing techniques.
It is also important to notice how your diet can affect your mood. Be mindful of what you eat. Sure, that cookie seems to melt in your mouth and put a chocolate-covered smile on your face, but how do you feel after an hour or so? Is your mood affected by the sugar? Find your balance. Generally, you should stick to balanced, colorful meals and healthy snacks. And no, "Fruit Roll Ups" do not count as a fruit serving.
Sleeping is of the utmost importance. I know it often seems as though class is the best place to catch up on missed Zzz's than during regular sleeping hours, but our sleep is more crucial than we realize. Do not mess up that sleep pattern! Too little sleep and too much sleep can affect your body negatively. Plus, crankiness is simply not attractive.
Mental health should instead be thought of as "getting through the challenges in life," enjoying relationships, and knowing what makes you tick and what makes you smile. By understanding yourself you can more easily take care of your mind.
Many of the hardships we go through, such as anxiety and stress, are perfectly normal. These feelings have the purpose of pushing us to get work done, warn us about dangers, and let us know what we do and do not enjoy in life.
Find what works best for you during these anxious times. For some, going on a bike ride can most effectively clear the mind. Others find that listening to music or picking up their beloved instrument can make their mind skip to a different beat.
If you do not play a musical instrument then bongos and the cowbell require little to no previous musical skills. Others have found a run, a warm bath, hot tea, or YouTube-ing as other relaxing techniques.
It is also important to notice how your diet can affect your mood. Be mindful of what you eat. Sure, that cookie seems to melt in your mouth and put a chocolate-covered smile on your face, but how do you feel after an hour or so? Is your mood affected by the sugar? Find your balance. Generally, you should stick to balanced, colorful meals and healthy snacks. And no, "Fruit Roll Ups" do not count as a fruit serving.
Sleeping is of the utmost importance. I know it often seems as though class is the best place to catch up on missed Zzz's than during regular sleeping hours, but our sleep is more crucial than we realize. Do not mess up that sleep pattern! Too little sleep and too much sleep can affect your body negatively. Plus, crankiness is simply not attractive.
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