There's no easy cure for the rut you're in, but there are a few easy things you can do right now to lower your stress levels, ease anxiety, and improve your mood while you wait for the universe to give you a break.
Eat something
Honestly, half the time when I find myself in a bad mood I'm just hungry. We all know that eating consistently is important for our body to function normally, but it also regulates our mental stability. Now, I don't mean eat anything, try for something healthy. Trust me, when you put good things in your body, you'll have more energy and will feel so much better.
Get some sleep
A good night's sleep, or even a short nap in between classes, can make a huge difference in your mood. When I lose even just two hours on a random night I'm distracted and annoyed by the smallest things — not to mention way more likely to miss my 8 AM class.
Declutter your space
Simple, I know, but it really can make an immediate difference in your mood. You don't have to do anything major, but cleaning your room or apartment has been proven to lower stress levels. Remember, clear space equals clear mind.
Get ready for the day
Going through your normal morning routine, even when you really just don't feel like it, can set the tone for the day. Put on a nice outfit, style your hair, do your makeup (if you're into that). If you don't have a morning routine, try someone else's and start the day feeling a little more put together than usual.
Change your environment
Literally go somewhere else. If you can't study where you usually go, find a new spot. Grab a coffee, go for a walk, get some sun — try to get out into the world and breathe new air.
Take some me time
Take a bath. Reread your favorite book. Pamper yourself with a spa day. Find some time in the day to let yourself relax and recharge. It's important to check in with yourself every once and a while — nobody functions well when they burn out trying to do everything for other people.
Do something nice for yourself
Take yourself out to lunch. Buy yourself flowers. Do whatever you think will make you feel a little bit better. It's not about being selfish or materialistic — it's taking care of yourself and knowing that you deserve nice things, too.
Feed your mind
This one ties back to my point about eating healthy: if you put good in, you get good out. The same thing applies to your mind. Feed your mind with positivity and it'll show in your own thoughts and actions. Yes, it can be good to invite distractions sometimes, but you want to keep track of the kinds of media you consume — not all of it is beneficial to you. In fact, a lot of it has the opposite effect. Try an inspirational podcast or a good book instead of binge-watching another reality TV show.
Do yourself a favor and get off social media for a second — it's only stressing you out.
Re-center
The best way to stay positive it to stay present — even when you really don't want to. Letting your mind wander and daydreaming about a "better life" is only bringing you down. Try some breathing exercises. Meditation is a good way to focus your mind back on reality. Just spending a few minutes focusing on your breathing can get you to chill out and really improve your outlook.
Achieve a goal
Even a small success can yield big results. Set achievable goals and allow yourself to feel proud when you complete them. Even if it's just putting away your laundry or remembering to call your mom, cross off as many items on your to-do list as you can.
Be realistic about your progress
Even with all these tips and the thousands of others scattered across the internet, it's important to remember that improvement is always a gradual thing. You might get worse before you get better, but know that you're on the right track, and never blame yourself for bad days.
At the end of the day, you've just got to give yourself time. You can't force yourself into a good mood, but if you find yourself stuck in this particular rut for more than two consecutive weeks, it might be time to contact a health professional. It could be a sign of depression, but whatever the cause, you'll be better off addressing it instead of ignoring it.
