Especially in the college world, there are so many not so great places that our minds can wander to, in the midst of stress, strain and the everyday grind. Fear not. There are ways that you can help alleviate yourself of these things. These things will seem simple, but they will help you feel far more relaxed and prepared to take on your next big assignment, or next project at work. When your mind is healthy, you are healthy.
1. Keep something around that always reminds you to smile
I wear a yin yang necklace every day that reminds me to smile. Life is a series of both good and bad things. There will always be every opportunity to focus on the bad. But remember that even when things feel really awful, you can always count on something good. Take a breath and think of that on days when you are feeling blue.
2. Do something fun every single day
Take some time every day to do something that you enjoy. Even if you don't have time for anything crazy or earth-shattering, you can still find something small that will make you happy. Hobbies are a good way to engage in something that's going to make you feel good and maybe even help you meet some great people. Join a club on campus, learn how to knit, get addicted to a series on Netflix, take up adult coloring, challenge your roommate to a bake-off, or take yourself out to dinner. You're awesome, you deserve to enjoy life, no matter how serious and monotonous it may seem.
3. Always have dessert
Life is short. Eat dessert first. Everyone has a favorite dessert. End a long day by treating yourself to something sweet, within reason. Last semester, chocolate strawberries helped my roomates and I survive trying times and long nights filled with homework, writing far too many papers and editing lab reports (shout out, Tammy and Marielena. This semester, my roommates and I will surely discover some other treat to help us
4. Take time to laugh
No matter how long each day is, always take time to laugh. The best kind of medicine for all of life's traumas, pains, stresses and everything in-between, is laughter. Check out Amy Schumer's movie, Trainwreck, for some much-needed laughter in your day.
5. Take some time to get to the gym
Although life is crazy, take some time each day, to get some excercise. It will help you sleep at night and it will help you take your stress out in a healthy way.