Hey.

Breathe

Actually close your eyes or look away from your screen and inhale 6 counts and exhale for 8.

Release tension in your muscles.

I’m sounding like a 5-dollar relaxation tape for a reason, alright?

A lot of individuals navigate this high paced society with an unbelievable amount of stress.

We have to wake at unnerving hours; in some cases, to commute to our jobs or classes; are expected to stay sedentary, ears pliable to a drone like voice feeding us information for hours upon hours; able to juggle a variety of different deadlines- for school, bills, work, and personal goals for self improvement.

This doesn’t even factor in the schisms and friction certain individuals face in socio-economic structures.

I know… I’m screaming internally too.

That being said, please don’t feel guilty for taking a breather. Don’t feel guilty that you have to take a day off for necessary healing. You need to operate with a healthy mind, this ensures your energy is at its optimum.

We get so bogged down in performing, not dropping the ball and hitting the ground running, we lose sight of when we need to recharge and take it easy.

Symptoms of feeling numb, constantly staring off, physical symptoms that you might brush off are all signals that you definitely need a break.

Here are some de-stressing tips you can use for the remainder of this week until the end of the weekend.

Have a good CRY:

We are taught to soldier through difficult situations, to keep up appearances, and to have a poker face. “Act like it’s not bothering you.” This way of working through obstacles can be sometimes “useful”- as it tells us that no matter the type adversity, it isn’t worth our sanity or preventing us from our goals. However, constantly blocking off emotions isn’t natural and can cause build-up. The reason you cry is because you are experiencing high-volume of intense emotion, and crying relieves some those tensions and helps your body to return to homeostasis. Never get discouraged from crying- let that emotion flow out, a lot yourself to feel comfortable and reveal in your strength of being in tuned with what you are feeling. That especially includes you, fellas!

TALK IT OUT:

Along with bottling our emotions, we don’t talk about what we are experiencing either. Find and build good support group. I know this is easier said than done, but never exclude different avenues; utilize your onsite counselor at school, talk with your regular doctor--- so they can refer you to therapists you know. Getting therapists are slowly becoming un-stigmatized, which is good… You shouldn’t feel ashamed in seeking help for anything! If you do decide on getting clinical help, still alert your friends and family that you’re feeling stressed so they can check in on you and help in their own ways.

Assess where you ARE:

Checking in on your progress; financially, academically, socially will make you more encouraged. You can see your growth and also what you are struggling in. Don’t see it as “failing” rather, recognize how you can improve and know it is temporary- if you let it be temporary. Take accountability for all your actions, but don’t beat yourself up.

I hope these were helpful to you, awesome person!

Know your feelings ae valid, know that you are loved and cared about, and know that you also have to treat yourself with kindness and love.

So, breathe and be gentle with yourself.