First thing’s first, take a deep breath- in for 5 seconds…hold for 7…and let out for 5.
Repeat.
And once more.
Ok good, now we can begin. You feel calmer right? A little more at ease? Able to focus a little bit more, actually read the words I’m typing? There’s something to be said for taking some time for yourself – even as simple as a few seconds to just sit and breathe and to concentrate on nothing but that. In a world of constant motion and an undying need for “productivity” and “accomplishments”, our mental and physical health are often left in the dust.
It normally starts in high school – you start staying up later to ace that math test, I mean hey, ya gotta maintain that 4.0 GPA. Practice after school means homework is getting done late after dinner. Maybe you forgot an assignment so suddenly it’s 1 AM and you’re just shutting off your computer to sleep only to wake up in 5 hours. And it’s this repeating pattern that wears us down at a time where our body needs sleep and mental rest the most.
Then college starts. You’re hit with a whirlwind of all kinds of just NEW stuff. New atmosphere, new people, new classes, new everything. That can take a huge toll on your mind and body, and it’s hard to take the time to work on those little nicks and bumps when you’re trying so hard to get into your groove. As a junior in college now, I think I can safely say that it’s all just a matter of forcing yourself to take time for yourself. Yes, school is important, your education is potentially your future (if you so choose to pursue an education), and you want to take part in all sorts of things in college – clubs, activities, parties, the whole nine yards. Speaking as an introvert, it’s not even a question to me that having some time alone is important. However, I truly believe that time is important for everyone – it’s all a matter of how you use it.
Take some time to breathe, even just sitting for five minutes on the couch with nothing in front of you. Let yourself unwind, do something that makes you feel happy – draw, read, sleep, listen to music, watch a movie, cook a yummy meal! If you wake up not feeling well, don’t feel guilty for calling out of work. While you may have responsibilities and commitments to your job, to school, to friends, the most important responsibility you have is to ensure that you are healthy – in all facets. The more you take care of yourself the more you’ll realize you are able to do more of the things you both need to and want to do. Life is all about balance, and I’m not saying that balance is easy to find but it helps to start equating your health into that balance.
My priorities have really shifted over the past year and maybe it’s just me, but I’ve found that allowing myself to not feel guilty for doing things for myself, has been incredibly beneficial. Just do yourself a favor – get that extra hour of sleep, don’t cut off that really emotional conversation you’re having with your friend, take that break from studying to listen to that new song that just came out.
I think the best way to sum it up, as a friend of mine once said, is: “Remember not to mistake resting for abandoning things because it’s that mindset that prevents people from taking the breaks they need”.
