This shouldn’t be just a phrase you hear or say because it is becoming a “trend.”
It should show support on issues essentially every human is facing. I’m glad this topic is not something being shrugged under the carpet anymore and the stigma around it is breaking on a global level. If you haven’t experienced disorders such as anxiety, depression, and similar escalations of the mental stress, then perhaps it will be difficult for you to understand, or even believe when hearing about it. That is why it’s valuable for you to get informed, to at least be considerate towards others, and eventually handle yourself better in the future if such a situation occurs. This is something that could happen to anybody, no matter how “strong” you think you are.
One of the things you should always remember is that there is nothing wrong with asking for help. It does not make you weak or any less accomplished if you openly seek psychological or psychiatric opinions.
Usually, when people change their environment, e.g. going to study abroad, are faced with new challenges that could be overwhelming. And sometimes, by trying to adjust, you forget to take care of yourself. Stress can be the trigger of both psychological, and physical diseases. It is the sneakiest of feelings as sometimes you are not even aware of it, but your body could be experiencing it. I know that it’s easy to say “stop stressing about…”, while by saying so it seems like it’s only causing additional stress. The best way to give your mind and your body a rest from it is to keep your focus on accomplishing the goals you create. It doesn’t have to be your life goal so you lose your mind if something doesn’t go the way you planned it. It can be your day-to-day routine and things you can do to improve it. By becoming step by step better at things you realize are not your strong side, you will gradually feel confident and inspired to do more.
“It’s a great way to create more endorphins and also clear your head for at least half an hour.”
It doesn’t have to be a gym, get out of the house and do something you enjoy (climb up the Gellert hill if you’re in Budapest or simply go dancing). By exercising and being active during the day you’ll get much-needed solid sleep at night. Sleep is one of the most important things for your overall health, and especially your brain. Don’t underestimate your nocturnal habits because without proper rest your body is going to start using its reserves to keep you going. It might seem at first like you’re not affected but in the long run, especially if it’s chronic, it will be damaging. And when you wake up, what should be the first thing you think about? Vitamines. An important tool that will help you fight stress is food. Do not neglect your meals as it does matter which sustenance you give to your body so it can provide you with the mood you crave. Turns out living that healthy lifestyle isn’t just about painting the desired body image, right? Mens sana in corpore sano (latin: in healthy body healthy mind).
Take care of yourself. There is no one else who should or could do it better than you. Listen to your body and pay attention to the way you react to the things in your life. Let yourself experience the emotions that come from it and by doing so learn how to be better prepared for the future. By trusting and exploring ourselves constantly, we become truly independent.
That is – knowing what you want, who you are, and being able to express it. And if you ever feel like you’re lost and wary of your choices, that’s OK. We all find ourselves in despair on occasion, just make sure you don’t give in to it like that’s something that defines you – because it’s not.
