Maintaining Mental Health with a Packed Schedule
Returning back to school in person after COVID has been a real transition. Many of us just went back in person 3 weeks into the semester and had tests that very week. Feeling behind has become a common occurrence for many students. Also, to stay on track with other students and stay afloat, many students are working on top of a full school schedule, internships, or other involvement in clubs that take time away from taking care of themselves...
I am Kendra Landi a second year Business Marketing major with a specialization in professional selling and sales management. I joined Women in Business this year and am currently a marketing intern, which has been one of my favorite opportunities. I am also involved in Greek life, working at an on-campus job, and involved in Dance Marathon as a fundraising team captain for my sorority. Finding time to prioritize “me time” and my mental health has become more and more difficult. However, I find it more important each week when I feel like my schedule is monotonous: waking up, opening my computer or walking to class, working on school all day until late at night, then getting right to bed.
Where does finding the moments of clarity start? For me, I go on Spotify or Youtube to find 5-10 minute meditation talks to ease my nerves and try to start my morning off on a good note. When I can, it is important for my mental health to attend yoga classes or do my own practice in my room or in my front yard (preferably in the sun!). I have been trying to go to the beach more to read books, or even do my homework and just find moments of silence. It is also key to know that everyone has different ways of dealing with stress. These are what work for me, but there are many other ways to improve your mental health.
Talking to others and having that physical contact even though things like watching weekly TV shows together—like Euphoria or the Bachelor—have helped ease my stress and bring in moments of happiness into my week. Things like eating 3 meals a day or making sure I see the sun by going outside are two of the first things that I let slip when I become overwhelmed and stressed with everything going on around me. However, setting alarms throughout the day or putting reminders on my planner—which in fact is my holy grail where I plan my whole day and all the tasks I need to get done—help me make sure that I remain healthy amidst the chaos I feel is around me. As for my planner...if you do not have one and you want to become more organized I HIGHLY recommend getting a day to day planner. (I am a huge nerd about lists!). If I do not have a list telling me what I need to accomplish each day, my day ends up seeming unaccomplished or that I have not gotten as far on the tasks that I wanted to complete. It helps me stay on top of due dates, set mini goals (like having a 10 minute break or going to the
gym/yoga/on a walk), and just helps me keep structure in my life.
Having a schedule where there seems to be only time for homework and extracurriculars can be exhausting, both mentally and physically. My biggest piece of advice for this is to make sure that no matter what, you are taking a break for yourself to do something that will put a smile on your face at least once per day. Find those tiny moments of joy, peace, and silence that help you maintain healthy boundaries.
By Kendra Landi
