Where there is stress, there are mental health concerns
As students, we can all admit
that we either are or will be overwhelmed
by the amount of assignments,
tests and studying that takes
place over the short time they call a
term of 15 weeks. What we cannot
admit is the long-term effect it has
on our mental health. I've created a
stress equation that sums up the
role of life aspects and its effect on
us mentally when managed negatively
or unbalanced. The equation
consists of: School (assignments,
tests, studying) + Social Life (partying,
hanging out, working, dating)
+ Home Life (time spent with
family and relatives) = Distress
(anxiety, mood swings, trouble
sleeping, paranoia/fear of failure,
etc.)
When someone mentions mental health, we automatically assume worst-case scenarios such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, but what we do not realize is that these major disorders are not always biologically based but rather environmentally influenced. We must nurture our brains and our bodies in order to be positively influenced by our surrounding environment. We are all from different walks of life, but we have the same common goal of success in our future plans. It's very important to balance our stress equations as students so we can all become successful. Stress is a temporary problem that can be solved with a long-term solution. By keeping your mental health in check and understanding the importance of outside influences and their negative effects, you can ultimately avoid the worst-case scenario of a serious mental health disorder.
Here are some examples of ways to keep your mental health in check:
- Exercise! The most efficient way of releasing stress is through a positive outlet. Working out before bed will provide for a more relaxed sleep.
- Eat healthy! We all know this; it's just a matter of actually applying it. Simply said, healthy foods feed your brain and give you energy, while junk foods stuff you up, make you tired/lazy and contain ingredients that are bad for you.
- Go out! Enjoy yourself, have fun, meet new people and live new experiences, but don't let the social aspects of life take over all other parts of your life.
- Manage your time effectively.
- Get away from the city for a weekend — it's a good way to help relax and feel better.
- Talk to someone! Fanshawe has so many resources available to the student body, so make use of them! There are a number of specialized counselling services in the school that are more than willing to help de-stress any student who comes their way. Don't be shy, this is the most effective way to help deal with any issues arising in you life.
When someone mentions mental health, we automatically assume worst-case scenarios such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, but what we do not realize is that these major disorders are not always biologically based but rather environmentally influenced. We must nurture our brains and our bodies in order to be positively influenced by our surrounding environment. We are all from different walks of life, but we have the same common goal of success in our future plans. It's very important to balance our stress equations as students so we can all become successful. Stress is a temporary problem that can be solved with a long-term solution. By keeping your mental health in check and understanding the importance of outside influences and their negative effects, you can ultimately avoid the worst-case scenario of a serious mental health disorder.
Here are some examples of ways to keep your mental health in check:
- Exercise! The most efficient way of releasing stress is through a positive outlet. Working out before bed will provide for a more relaxed sleep.
- Eat healthy! We all know this; it's just a matter of actually applying it. Simply said, healthy foods feed your brain and give you energy, while junk foods stuff you up, make you tired/lazy and contain ingredients that are bad for you.
- Go out! Enjoy yourself, have fun, meet new people and live new experiences, but don't let the social aspects of life take over all other parts of your life.
- Manage your time effectively.
- Get away from the city for a weekend — it's a good way to help relax and feel better.
- Talk to someone! Fanshawe has so many resources available to the student body, so make use of them! There are a number of specialized counselling services in the school that are more than willing to help de-stress any student who comes their way. Don't be shy, this is the most effective way to help deal with any issues arising in you life.
