This Is About Seasonal Depression and Stress and What You Should Do About It.

Photo is mine, Gifs are free use.

It's time we sit down and talk about something very serious in our lives as college students, and that is mental health. The purpose of this blog is to inform incoming college students about some hurdles and obstacles they may encounter; roommate issue, changing majors, and now your mental health.

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay, and it is a time where we take a strategic stance on addressing how we view mental health, and how we see ourselves in the ongoing narrative. The American Psychological Association has done some research into this topic in this article and said "Ninety-five percent of college counseling center directors surveyed said the number of students with significant psychological problems is a growing concern in their center or on campus..."

I personally used to often visit with a counselor often in my youth to discuss issues I would have due to anxiety and my attention deficit hyper-active disorder which affected my studies in school. As I matured I began to view my mental health not as seriously as I should. It's a common rhetoric amongst college students, especially those who get involved in extracurriculars on campus, to begin to feel honestly overwhelmed during midterm season. With the changing of time and the days being shorter it can be a lot to handle. So I have taken the time to sit down and think up some tools I utilize to deal with my stress which in turn helps with my anxiety.

1. Check List Save Lives

Trust me when I say this, even if you are unorganized, if you sit down and write out all the things you need to do, it may seem super overwhelming. But once you sit down and start getting things done you feel little bursts of joy when that list keeps getting checked. This is a super simple tool that has helped me solidify what I need to do, and that I was just overthinking a lot of things.

2. The Weekends Are Truly Amazing.

Look, after being constantly busy Monday to Friday working that 9 to five to please the man, or whatever. You need some time to get relaxed in whatever way you think is best suited. So that means not checking e-mails until Sunday at noon. Not doing homework until Sunday at noon. Take advantage of every second. Sometimes you can find some time to do work on Saturdays, and if you find some you might as well take advantage. But rejoice in the fact that you don't have to and can wait till Sunday. I know procrastination isn't the best option, but it is better than never having time off.

3. Plan Ahead, and Thank Yourself Later. Time management is key in leading a busy lifestyle that is stress-free, if you're good at it, you'll plan a time of the week, each week, where you don't have anything to do but hang out or do homework. But if you just remember that you like having Thursdays off, don't schedule anything after your last class. This gives you time to do whatever during the week and gives you a little goal to reach the weekend. We all have days where things are just slow, take advantage of those days.

4. Counseling.

If your university offers free counseling, take advantage of that resource. Most people know it is there but they simply just don't go. I am begging you if you are struggling or just need someone to vent and be on your side then you should go. Everyone talks about it, getting help for any mental health issues you may be facing, however not enough people actually follow through and actually seek that help for themselves. Don't let the first time you go be on the eve of you breaking down. So do your own research and just find out what resources are available to you as a student and take advantage of those resources.

Fall is a challenging time of year for people, and stress can pile up. I want you all to know a few things I do to keep stress to a minimum.