Since March of this year, we have all been undergoing unexpected and difficult lifestyle changes. In fact, 53% of adults have noticed how COVID-19 has negatively impacted their mental health. As a student at Binghamton University, I remember being in class like normal one day, and the next being sent home for the rest of the semester. For me, it was extremely stressful, and unfortunately, it continues to be a daily struggle in our lives. If you’re on- or off-campus this semester, it is likely that you have experienced heightened stress levels and are finding it difficult to survive this semester without any breaks. However, we are all in the same boat and will support each other as much as we can, thus I am providing a helpful guide to staying afloat for this school year.
One of the most difficult things students have dealt with is being isolated from friends and family. On-campus students cannot go into each other’s dorms, and off-campus students aren’t supposed to hang out with groups greater than six, so how can we socialize safely? Although Zoom or FaceTime is an option to talk to friends, it can feel like just another computer task. Try to take a daily walk with a friend who you are isolating with, or talk to someone on the phone while you walk. Get a meal once a day with a friend and eat outside for a picnic while it’s still nice out. You can even exchange letters and care packages to loved ones weekly. It’s something nice to look forward to. It’s understandable to feel lonely during this time, but having time set aside each day to socialize can help you from feeling as if you are struggling by yourself.
Another aspect of isolation that can provide great stress is the fact that we don’t have any breaks this whole school year. It can feel daunting and overwhelming to work hard and stay focused for months at a time. If you can, set up a weekly schedule that shows you what is due each day, and what else you have to complete in order to make all of the due dates and information feel more digestible. A great way to de-stress from classwork is by allowing yourself to breathe, take a couple of hours each day doing something you enjoy and feel passionate about. For example, you can binge-watch a new TV show, play video games, paint, or do some online shopping. Providing yourself with rewards after a long day of work can feel less strenuous on your mental health and can give you something to look forward to.
In addition, staying active can also provide a natural stress reliever and allows you to have a break between work and school. The CDC promotes that individuals should exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. While that might be an unrealistic goal, try to fit it in through segments. One of the best ways I have implemented this is by taking a yoga break after each class. This helps me to get away from my desk and clear my mind of any tasks that may feel overwhelming. Another easy way to accomplish this is to take one walk around the BU Brain each day, or a short hike through the nature preserve. Not only does it give you a chance to get outside, but Binghamton has beautiful fall scenery right now to look at. Furthermore, the East Gym at BU is providing online workouts to attend, and there are a plethora of other free workouts online that you can look into.
Lastly, make sure to check-in with yourself. You can do this through meditation, journaling, or seeing a counselor. One of my favorite free apps for meditation is called Oak, it provides guided meditation, a course on meditation, and background noise to help with sleeping. Journaling is also a phenomenal way to keep track of daily or weekly moods in order to find a pattern in your life. In addition, counseling is a great way to check-in with your mental health as it provides you with a professional by your side to guide you through your emotions. Using these tools can create a healthy relationship with stressors in your life, and attempt to keep them at bay.
Resources On and Off-Campus:
Counseling Center: Call 607-777-2772 to set up an appointment
East Gym: Call (607) 777-7529
Free Workouts: https://www.youtube.com/user/blogilates
Meditation App: https://www.oakmeditation.com/
References:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, October 7). How much physical
activity do adults need? https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
KFF. (2020, August 21). The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and
Substance Use. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/
NPR. (2020, August 24). Safely Socializing In The Time Of 'Rona.
World Health Organization. (2020). #HealthyAtHome- Mental Health.
About the Author: Madison Pellnat
Maddi is a Junior studying Integrated Neuroscience on the Pre-Medicine Track, hoping to pursue Medical School after Graduation. She joined REACH because of her interest in outreach and discussing difficult health topics with peers. She is specifically interested in sexual health and the political implications of reproductive health. When she’s not studying, she is often watercolor painting while watching Gilmore Girls or playing animal crossing on the switch.
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