It can be tough adjusting to life after college. You look around and all the friends that you've come to know over the past few years may or may not be around anymore.
Other graduates may move away to completely different cities or get jobs in different areas. You may or may not have a plan on what to do next.
However, if you're finding yourself stressed out or you have the post-college blues, don't worry. You will get through it. In the meantime, however, you may need a few tips for handling the additional stress you're facing.
Below are a few tips that will help you adjust during this time of your life and better handle post-college stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.
1. Know What the Future Is and Isn't
Whether you've just started your first entry-level job or you're battling through the endlessness of sending out your resume and going to job interviews, it can be easy to get stressed and worried about the future.
You may wonder where your career is leading and when you'll get there. You may not know what to expect going forward and you may start comparing your present life to the other graduates you know and the types of jobs they're working.
However, as much as you may be worrying about where your future is going, chances are that you're on the right path. If you're applying for jobs and not getting any offers, that's okay. If you're getting into the routine of your new job, but not sure where it's going to lead in the future or if this is even the right career path for you, that's okay too.
Worrying is natural but it's okay to not know exactly where you're going or where you'll be in 10 years time. You don't have to have it all figured out just yet.
Try to just keep breathing and remember that anything is still possible. While you should be thinking about your future and making some plans, also know that your plans are flexible and will likely change a lot in the coming years.
2. Change Your Thinking
While this one goes off of the last point, the truth is that if you're extremely worried about your future it may be part of a bigger problem. If you're constantly having negative thoughts, it shouldn't be surprising if you're feeling stressed out or depressed.
Whether you're stressing out about choosing an iPhone X case or trying to choose what to wear on a date, most things aren't as big of a deal as our minds make them out to be. Especially if you get stressed easily about smaller things it may be time to put a little effort towards changing your thought patterns.
Bad things happen but it's how we react to them that really effects our overall mood. Keep things in perspective and if something goes wrong, tell yourself "I can handle it." And the truth is that you can.
Additionally, if you experience a lot of low self-esteem you may want to start recognizing how you think about yourself. If you constantly think to yourself that you're "No good" or "Ugly" or that "You'll never get anywhere in life" you may just start believing it.
If you discover that your thinking is a big problem for you, you may want to adopt some new habits. Consider using affirmations, trying some cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, or seeking professional help.
3. Try Meditation and Other Stress Reduction Techniques
In addition to the above tips, it can also be a great idea to try meditation and some similar stress reduction techniques. Some simple breathing techniques, meditation, or even yoga can go a long way in reducing your stress, no matter what the cause.
Meditation techniques can be very easy to get started with and even as little as 5 minutes per day can offer a lot of benefits for your mind and body.
For a simple way to get started meditating, sit in a comfortable position. Then, shift your awareness to your breath. Focus on your inhales and exhales and notice how it feels. Try to focus on your breath, but if your mind wanders, that's okay too. Simply move your awareness back to your breath and continue.
Doing this allows your mind to get used to staying in the present moment rather than always moving to anxious thoughts and stress in your life.
You may also consider listening to some meditation or guided hypnosis audio on Youtube if you want some additional help getting started.
While you may be skeptical, techniques such as meditation can be great for reducing stress and anxiety and helping you feel more at ease with your current situation, whatever it may be.
4. Treat Your Body Right
While you may have gotten a little too used to a diet of ramen noodles and beer during your college days, if your eating habits are still stuck in the past you may want to start changing it.
It really is true that you are what you eat so make sure that you're working on your diet and putting the right food into your body. Believe it or not, the food that you eat can have a big effect on your overall mood and wellbeing. It's important to avoid processed foods and make sure you're eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Also, make sure you're getting all of the water your body needs. The recommended amount is eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day and it can be surprising how big of a help getting enough water can be in improving your mood and making you feel healthier.
It's also a great idea to get into a great routine for exercising and going to the gym regularly. Make sure you're putting in the work to keep your body fit. In turn, your mind will thank you for it as well.
Exercising will release those endorphins and make sure that you're feeling great at all times. At the very least, try to get a walk in during your lunch break or after work and get your blood flowing.
Final Thoughts
While the reality of post-college life may surprise you and be getting you down, the truth is that everything in life is only temporary. While it may not seem like it now, you'll get through any post-college difficulties you face.
Believe it or not, the chances are that you're right where you need to be right now and you're already on the path to the life you always wanted.
