This week has been a pretty rough one for me. Between a ton of school work, relationships and internship searches, it has been a week of stress. When I'm so stressed I find it hard to concentrate, I zone out, procrastinate, and feel tired all the time. However, today I hit my breaking point and just became sad.
I broke down in tears because I so desperately didn't want to deal with all the problems life was throwing at me. I didn't want to study for my exam, write my essay or fill out anymore applications, I didn't even want to talk to another human. I just wanted to lay in my bed and cry. So that's what I did and I realize now that this was OK.
I'm sure my college peers can relate to having just too much to do at once, to many problems to deal with, and not feeling like it's possible. This feeling of being overworked often leads to stress and if this stress is left unchecked, it can cause us to have severe headaches, lose sleep, become depressed, and it can cause numerous other health issues. However, allowing yourself to be sad can fix this.
Crying is the body's natural way to cure emotional stress. Crying can actually end stress and bring relief to the physical and emotional effects of stress. While we all try to fight it and power through, it is incredible how much better we can feel after a "good cry." Feeling sad can actually make us feel happy, who knew?
Being sad is OK at anytime of your life, but especially for college students. We are forced to juggle a ton and sometimes it can feel like no one is on your side and no one understands you. It is important that you stay on your own side, recognize your emotions and see them a valid. Ignoring what your feelings can cause long term issues and those consequences can be even more severe.
It is OK and, I would say, encouraged to be sad. Being sad is part of who we are and often, as I have found, we forget that. Finally crying a letting it all out has made me more motivated and aware, and less confused and paranoid because I have allowed myself to finally sympathize with myself. Recognizing and accepting your emotions if the first step of being productive and happy, next time things seem like they are too much to handle, maybe they are, and myabe you need to cry about it.
