Artwork by Sathvik Manam

School can be draining so find a way to focus on your mental health.

A normal school year is stressful enough. Having to make sure all of your homework is done, studying for tests, going to sports, and even coming home to chores your parents want done before they get home from work is a lot to handle, both physically and mentally. 

This year is one like no other, and not in a good way. Unfortunately there is nothing normal about 2020. Sitting in a classroom isn’t easy and neither is sitting in front of a computer screen for 4 classes a day, ninety minutes each. 

Mental health can impact a person in many ways. It can get so draining to the point where you just want to lay in bed all day. So, taking the time to focus on mental health is important. It isn’t something that can just be set aside and forgotten about. If you’re going through something that is affecting you, there are things you can do about it. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go talk to someone. It could be something as simple and indistinct as taking deep breaths on your Google Meet. Little things like that can be really effective, believe it or not. 

Staying hydrated

It seems cliché, I know, but drinking water throughout the day can really help. Waking up in the morning and having a glass of water, or if you want to be fancy, cucumber or lemon water, can really help start your day. You may still be stressed with a tornado of worries in your head, but something as simple as drinking water is relaxing and refreshing. 

Being hydrated helps with overall performance while doing daily things. Having to do school from home is something that you need energy for and need to be on top of things, so hydration really helps.

Stop procrastinating

I’m sorry, but someone has to say it. Procrastination is something people do on a daily basis, I do it too. Getting an assignment that isn’t due until three weeks later can be the best thing because you don’t have to worry about it right then. However, time goes by and it’s the night before the assignment is due, and you are stressing to get it done. 

Waiting until the last minute means you lose sleep, stress for hours, and don’t give the assignment your all. This is something that can really affect mental health, but it is something that can be prevented. Don’t wait until the last minute to do the project, do it in bits and pieces. Setting a goal for yourself can help you feel accomplished. For instance, let’s say you have a science project you need to get done, work on it for 30 minutes a day. This will help get the project done, and will feel like a weight off your shoulders. Believe me, doing this helps.

Reach out to people

The reassurance of having people to reach out to during this crazy time can help settle the mind. It’s good to keep in contact with the people you care about most. Every once and awhile it’s almost relieving to just let everything go and vent. The frustration this year has brought is tiring, annoying, and sad. During times like these (hopefully a year like this never happens again), isolating yourself isn’t healthy.

Don’t push yourself

If you’re exhausted and mentally drained, don’t force yourself to do something you don’t want to do, even if it has to get done. I’m not saying you should forget about the tasks you have to do, but take a minute, relax, eat, and refresh yourself. Being in the right state of mind can boost confidence and make you feel accomplished.

Be kind to yourself during hard times. It’s difficult to want to get anything done, but listen to your body and how you’re feeling. Treat yourself with the little things in life, go get Starbucks or Dunkins, go shopping, do whatever makes you happy. 

Making little changes in your life can make a big change for your mental health. Be around the ones you love, know you’re doing great, and focus on yourself. It’s okay to be selfish every once in a while.