Exams, deadlines, relationships, politics, scheduling, sleep deprivation, exercise, meal planning, social obligations – it's almost like life doesn't want us to be calm. There are so many factors stressing us out on a daily basis, and college students are some of the most stressed out. Most of us are juggling classes with jobs and extracurriculars and social lives and exercise and family obligations and probably some other things I'm forgetting. It's overwhelming.
It's easy to forget about your mental health or just minimize its importance in the midst all these stressors. It's easy to distract yourself from feelings of mental discomfort and go along with your daily routine. But you can't. Taking care of yourself mentally is one of the most important things you can spend your time doing. Without maintaining a healthy mindset, all these other tasks you're completing won't be fulfilled as well and you'll be left feeling overwhelmed and under-accomplished.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorder in the United States, and being someone who experiences anxiety, I probably don't have to tell you how much it sucks. It's uncomfortable, inconvenient, and infuriating. It leaves you feeling out of control and unbearably frustrated a lot of the time. No one should have to deal with how overwhelming anxiety can get. One of the only things that I have found to be significantly effective in coping with my anxiety is practicing meditation as regularly as possible.
Now, I recognize how that sounds to someone who has never meditated. It sounds a bit intimidating, unfamiliar, and probably a little idealistic. How can forcing your mind to be clear for 10 minutes a day minimize your anxiety? Well for one thing, science proves it to be extremely effective.
Meditation doesn't have to be sitting in a complicated pose humming mantras for an hour a day (I mean, it can be if that's what you're feeling.) It's all about finding what works best for you. It can be a body scan to get in touch with your physical sensations, it can be listening to a calming guided visualization, it can be counting your breaths with a timer on. It can be as simple or intricate as you want; finding what works for you personally and practicing often is key. Anything that separates you from obsessive thoughts and puts you back in the present moment is beneficial.
Life is overwhelming and thoughts are overcomplicated. It's so important to take a step back from everything, practice meditation, and gain perspective on your problems. I've been doing it as regularly as I can for two years and I can honestly say I'm a different person because of it. Don't get discouraged because it's hard – that just means good change is happening.
Some great (and free!) apps I've used to get me started are Calm, Headspace, and Stop, Breathe & Think. There are also a lot of helpful guided meditations available on Spotify.
Take a deep breath, you can do this.
