This morning, my phone buzzed with a notifications to attend a convocation event at my school on Buddhist Ethics and the Superhero. My school is very intentional about broadening the scope of the student opinion and mind by exposing them to new thoughts and drawing conclusions of their own. I hadn't attended many convo events - much less than I should've by this point - but I decided I should go and begin to chisel away at what is a long list of credits to get to. I spend a lot of time in dialogue about Christian worldview and opinions due to my major in Religion and the Arts. Having these conversations always in the back of my mind, I felt a spark of curiosity going into this convo event based on the Buddhist worldview. I didn't feel fear for exposure; I felt intrigued. I went in with an open mind, eager to see how other individuals see the world in which we dwell. The conversation was about whether or not there could be such a thing as a truly Buddhist superhero, who embodies the pillars of the Buddhist faith, primarily pacifism. It was an interesting conversation, but what stuck with me the most was how much more ease I felt about the tense conversations that debated in shouts at the back of my mind concerning the things I hold to be true in my faith. Getting out of the conversations I normally find myself in helped to settle the dust being kicked up constantly in my mind and helped me to rest in what I know to be true. When you are picking apart the details, it is difficult to see the broad strokes on which you stand. I say all this to encourage you, gracious reader, to get out of your normal thoughts and conversations and readings and habits to look at the world in a way you may totally disagree with. The truth is not afraid, so why would you feel the need to protect it unless deep down you feel what you think isn't true? Let what is true stand for itself and simply seek to see what it has to say. This can be difficult, but for me, it proved rewarding. It helps to know where your own holes are and where you need filling. Get out there. What does the sun shine on?
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1. Drink lots of tea with honey.
Photo by Jessica Mangano on UnsplashDrinking tea always soothes my throat whenever I'm sick and adding honey will only help! Every kind of tea has its own personal benefits for you, so you can never go wrong with a cup of tea while sick. Different teas provide you with different nutrients, and the more nutrients your body has, the better it will feel. My personal favorite flavor of tea is vanilla honey tea.
2. Get a good amount of rest.
Photo by Isabella Fischer on UnsplashSomething my dad always tells me when I am sick is that "sleep is the best healer." I have to say, in my experience of getting sick, making sure that I am getting enough sleep has always helped in my process of feeling better. One thing to be careful of is to be sure that you aren't getting too much sleep because that could opposite effects.
3. Make an appointment with the health center or at a doctor's office.
Photo by Alexandr Podvalny on UnsplashIf you don't feel better in a couple of days, it is best to either make an appointment with the student health center or your doctor's office, or go to a local Urgent Care to see if you can be prescribed any antibiotics to help you get better. The important thing to remember about antibiotics is to also take probiotics to balance it out and to help you boost your immune system in the future.
4. Stock up on soup and crackers.
A lot of times, being sick also means having a weak stomach, so eating light foods like soup is always the best route to take until your stomach is strong enough for more solid foods. Also, try to eat toast or crackers with your soup to help settle your stomach.
5. If you are able to, go home.
Finally, staying in the dorms may be one of the factors in your lack of healing. If a parent can come and get you, or if there is any way for you to go home, you should take advantage of this. Don't worry about missing class, if you email your professors and/or have a doctor's note, they will most likely be understanding.
1.Shower
There is nothing more refreshing than a hot shower. Some would argue that morning showers help you have a happier day. Also, you look better and smell better. There is nothing grosser than greasy hair. And it keeps you healthier.
2. Sleep
After one all nighter during Freshman year, I realized that sacrificing my Zzzz’s was not worth it. In fact, I ended up forgetting what I had studied the night before, and it threw my whole sleep schedule off. That caused all of my classes to suffer.
3. Schedule
Showering and Sleeping are impossible when you don’t schedule. Your day probably has an element of spontaneity to it, however, it is still so helpful to have a basic timeline for your day. Some nights I’ll write each task I need to accomplish on a different sticky note. The joy at the end of the next day of crumpling each accomplished task is something you have to experience!
4. Eat Well
Nixing Ramen and nightly Domino's pizza orders will cause your personal health to skyrocket. Cutting down on caffeine will also help you sleep better. Water is also so important. With all the coffee that makes up a college student’s beverage diet, water gets overlooked. You’ll take one gulp of pure, ice cold drinking water and wonder where the heck this miracle liquid has been.
5. Exercise
Last semester, I was exercising sporadically or “when I had time.” Here’s the thing though, an episode of The Office is 20 minutes. I was watching plenty of that. At one point, I felt so freaking stir crazy and threw on my tennis shoes and walked through the freezing Ohio weather to the gym and exercised for like 40 minutes. I’m not trying to be a body builder or anything, but you just feel so much better after a few minutes on the stationary bike or eliptical.
6. Socialize
You need people. Friends are important. My friend and I both had crazy schedules last year, but we’d go to the grocery store together or to Wal Mart and catch up that way. It’s just good to sit and vent with someone every once in awhile. Midnight doughnut runs are also fun, or Mean Girlsmovie nights.
7. Be on Time
This one helps everyone’s productivity. Also, when you strive to be there on the dot, even if you’re a minute or two late, it helps you keep the rest of your life scheduled. Also, if you try to be on time, and plan accordingly, chances are you won’t be super stressed out trying to get somewhere 10 minutes away in 3 minutes.
8. Chillax
There is nothing wrong with kicking back and watching a few hours of a TV show. You need it. It’s important to take your mind off the real world for a little bit.
9. Journal/Pray/Reflect
It is vital to look inwardly and see how you’re doing, not just materially, but emotionally and spiritually. If you’re not emotionally doing well, something needs to change. It can be really hard to do well in other aspects of your life if you aren’t feeling well mentally. Journaling is the best free therapist out there, so is talking to a good friend.
10. Gain Perspective
Chances are, you know someone whose schedule is way more intense than yours. Or maybe you know someone who is going through a lot, but still manages to get a lot done. When I start to complain about my course load, I remember that my dad had four kids in medical school and residency. I also tr to remember that there are a lot of people out there who would love to "struggle" with too many classes. Doing something for other people can also really help make life more meaningful.
11. Do what works for you
By the time you’re 18, you know which study methods work for you, and how much sleep you really need every night. There’s going to be people all around you telling you how to live your life. And while there might be some really helpful pointers, only you can know what really works for you!You probably have some other ideas, but these seem to work pretty dang well!
1. “What am I supposed to do if everything doesn’t work out like it does in my head?”
Photo by Nik Shuliahin 💛💙 on UnsplashIt’s normal to stress about the future. I guess the fear of the unknown really takes over. One thing can be totally and completely planned out in your head, but in reality, it’s just in your head.
2. “I really hope everything I’ve learned can be used to make a difference one day.”
The one thing that everyone in their undergraduate studies thinks. Along with the infamous, “What if I don’t even end up using my degree?”
3. “I didn’t think it would be this hard.”
Photo by Joice Kelly on UnsplashAnd no one does. For a little bit, being off and “on your own” feelings fun and exciting, but the stress of the real world can catch up to you.
4. “I wonder what would have happened if I did _______”
Ah, the what if’s. “What if I majored in Forensic Science or Elementary Education?” “What if I went to a different university?” “What if I didn’t go out of state?” Happens more often than not.
5. “I wish my parents were here.”
Wanting to grow up is all you can think about in high school. But being away from them truly show how much their physical absence can influence everything.
6. “Should I get another job?”
Photo by Liam Martens on UnsplashAs if working and going to school at the same time weren’t stressful enough. But another little paycheck does sound pretty good.
7. “Are my grades good enough?”
Photo by Marga Santoso on UnsplashThoughts of graduate schools and required GPA’s can seem to cloud thoughts and make the overall school situation mote stressful than it is.
8. “How long will it even take me to get to where I want to be?”
Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashLike exactly how long am I supposed to wait before I own a mansion and a yacht?
9. “What should I get my graduate degree in?”
If you’ve ever looked into graduate school degrees, you know that there is so much in-depth studies that you can earn your Master’s degree in. With most demanding jobs requiring a graduate degree, it can be nerve racking to decide what to study in what is “the beginning of the end.“
10. “What am I going to do when my meal card runs out?”
The dreaded hour. I dont’t think anyone is really ready for the moment that their meal card shuts back down to zero. When those double digits come up, you know the end is near.
11. “Am I where I need to be?”
Evaluating your place in life and things like your job and degree path may be overwhelming. Thinking that what you’re doing is a waste of time will only put you steps back from where you need to be.
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