Kimmy Schmidt has taught me a lot of things, but the main thing I learned is the importance of happiness. Something I’ve found in my career as a student is this culture that our grades are more important than our mental health. I am of the firm belief that our mental health is as important, if not more important, than our grades. If you aren’t happy, or if you’re struggling with depression or anxiety due to your grades, it’s a good indicator you may be doing something wrong. How can we make good grades if we can’t even keep ourselves balanced? Here are some tips to stay stress-free, as told by Kimmy Schmidt.
1. Fake it till you make it!
Basically, you trick yourself into being happy. If I’m feeling low or down, I put on a smile and “fake it till I feel it.” Feelings follow actions, and this little trick is ridiculously effective.
2. Get moving.
I’m not a huge fan of exercise, but moving your body on a daily basis can improve your mood drastically. It doesn’t have to be vigorous exercise; it can be a 20-minute walk, yoga, or whatever you like that makes you move.
3. The 10-second trick.
This is actually something I’ve pick up from watching "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." She says that you can stand about anything for 10 seconds, and when you’ve finished those 10 seconds, you start on a new 10 seconds. I’ve found this little trick to be particularly useful, especially when I’m working on something I don’t want to be working on.
4. Listen to your instincts.
I try to spend about 10 or 15 minutes a day doing nothing but being in the moment. This will help you learn to trust with your body and listen to your instincts, allowing you to make the best decisions for you!
5. Take some time out of your schedule to relax and have fun!
Go out to dinner and a movie with friends, or just chill out and watch Netflix. It’s important to take your mind off of studying; otherwise, you’ll end up being ridiculously stressed out.
6. Embrace your inner child!
Buy yourself that dinosaur oatmeal! Go to the park and try to swing all the way around! Sing Disney songs on your way to class! You'll not only put yourself in a better mood, but all those around you as well!
7. Get a decent amount of sleep.
I’m only going to say this once: SLEEP IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. If you are only getting three or four hours of sleep a night, you aren’t functioning at your best. Get plenty of sleep so you can function at your best and keep your happiness in check!
Doing well in school is important, yes, and you should always do your best, but your mental health and stability are more important. Your grades do not define you. One hundred years from now, people aren’t going to look back and remember how awesome your grades were. What they will remember is how you behaved and how you treated others. So follow Kimmy's example and be happy and kind to others. Stay positive and good things will come your way!
