For the longest time, I dealt with personal stress in unhealthy ways. I ate unhealthy, I didn't want to do anything and I lashed out at others. Recently, I adopted exercise as a way to cope with my frustrations. My new coping mechanism is changing my life one stressful moment after another.

I used to hate running. I tried running, but it was painful and tedious. Granted, my larger breast size previously made any exercise very mentally and physically demanding. Any time I thought about life after surgery, I always thought about my ability to run and train. I thought about it in regards to my physical health and my future career. I never imaged how it would improve my mental health and become my coping mechanism when it came to stress.

I am not going to lie, life has been stressful recently due to unforeseen events and a busy schedule. In the beginning of the school year, I took up running again after my surgeon's approval. As life started to get more stressful, I felt an increased urge to run.

Through psychology, I always knew the importance of exercise and the importance of having a healthy way to cope with life's stressors. Previously, I accepted those facts but never actually applied them to my life.

Having exercise as my new coping mechanism changed both my physical and mental health. I am becoming stronger every day and growing in the face of fear. I am able to think more clearly of the situation at hand and make the best possible decision.

As my feet are pounding the ground, my music blasting in my ears and my lungs breathing in fresh air, my stress becomes non existent and reality becomes a blur. The only thing that matters is the moment at hand; not the past nor the future.

To those who hate running: just start. Force yourself to do it. You will hate it for a while, but just preserve. Eventually, you will end up needing it to stay sane.