The "End-of-June" lull is upon us. In these coming weeks, we will watch as summer impossibly slips through our fingertips, while simultaneously dolling out every day in a tortuously slow manner that leaves us feeling each individual second pass us by.
Most of us have settled into our sunny-day routines, whatever they may be, and yet August still seems so far off. This is a time for us to revel in the silencing of schoolyear and workday noise. So why is it that we feel so restless?
Because, like it or not, we are creatures of habit. And while nine months out of the year we bemoan our endless "stuDYING," we're actually thriving off of the balance and routine that school and work give us. Even those of us who consider ourselves free-spirits have turned spontaneity into a habit. We humans, especially when we're thrown into a life as simultaneously rigid and liberating as college, need our routines, and our lists, and consistency. We need the stability that summer lacks.
So where is the middle ground? How do we find a way to structure our unstructured days? To beat the worry and anxiety of the midsummer loll, make a schedule of your days off. Adding routine back into your day can be as simple as crossing off items like "make the bed" and "eat breakfast" off of a to-do list. However, not all items on this list have to seem so practical. For example: From noon to two—binge watch Riverdale. And as simple as that, you've added structure to your day. As you check things off your list, take a shower, play with the dog, online class, and so on, you feel like you're being productive. Because really, you are. We college students are so used to the endless stream of busy work, classes, notes, lectures, clubs, homework, that we no longer think of relaxation as an accomplishment. In reality, when we take a step back from the "GO-GO-GO!" mindset of a student, we find that taking time to relax is crucial to productivity.
A couple of months ago I started doing fifteen minutes of yoga in the morning when I woke up and another fifteen minutes in the evening before bed. I've found that just this simple thirty minute per day practice has increased my ability to concentrate, my productivity, and it's even leveled out my sleep schedule.
Adding structure, even for relaxation, is a common technique used among psychiatric patients dealing with anxiety and depression. Often when in a bad mental state, people crave the feeling of accomplishment. But a practice like this can benefit many more of us than just diagnosed patients.
It's natural to have some looming anxiety about the upcoming schoolyear…and the time leading up to it. When someone is used to being as busy as we so often are, it can be hard to suddenly transition to a life of free-form relaxation. No schedules, no appointments, no routine.
Once you get over the initial shock (and the sheer pleasure that is staying up late watching Netflix and sleeping in until the sun wakes us), you may find yourself looking for some borders, so maybe try some of these techniques to help silence your anxious mind a bit. And remember, seeking structure (while it may make you think you're too rigid) is actually a sign of a successful individual.
