At Zukin Realty, mental health is very close to our hearts. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of our lives, especially that of college students. A study performed at the North Carolina State University proves that the stress of having to deal with the pandemic is causing more and more students to become clinically depressed. Dealing with mental health issues as a student can be overwhelming, affecting their studies and causing them to become anxious and upset. It doesn’t have to be that way though. There are things students can do to protect their mental health and keep them focused on their future.
Mental Health and COVID-19
Remember Your Worth
It can be extremely hard to remember your value when you are dealing with depression. Remembering your worth is important when it comes to elevating your mood. Remind yourself of your accomplishments by displaying your trophies and awards. Whenever you start to feel down or depressed, take a look around. Give yourself the credit you deserve for being able to earn your awards and remind yourself that there more out there waiting for you.
Take Care of Yourself
Take care of yourself on every level. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and an occasional massage can do wonders for the physical body. Mentally and emotionally, take the time you need every day to process your feelings and bring yourself back to center. Meditate, sign up for a counseling session, or take a long, hot bath. You can relieve your stress in a variety of ways. Find what gives you peace and embrace it.
Keep Good Company
Keeping good company gives you a support system you can count on when you need someone to talk to. As a college student, it’s important to surround yourself with peers who have the same goals and are interested in helping each other succeed. Include your friends and family and build a network of support you can count on when you are having a rough day. Talk to your friends often and share what’s going on in your day-to-day routines.
Reward Yourself
One of the best ways to avoid depression is to give yourself something to smile about. Reward yourself after a big test. With the stress of having to attend class through Zoom meetings or keep up with your studies online, you deserve to pamper yourself. Take yourself out to dinner or buy yourself a new shirt or pair of shoes. You can also reward yourself with a spa membership or a day-trip that will get you away from the computer and outside in the sunshine and fresh air.
Every person is different in how they handle stress. Learn what coping mechanisms work for you and begin to use them daily. Take the time you need to focus on yourself. Being a student is stressful enough. The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the pressure and increasing your day-to-day stress. Maintaining your sense of self and protecting your mental health is important if you want to succeed. Your mental health is worth caring for. Put the pandemic in perspective and do what you need to do to give yourself a winning edge.
