Hey everyone, hope you are all doing well during this cold and gloomy February.
Btw… Happy Black History Month. #WakandaForever (that was super cheesy. bye.)
Anyways, just wanted to give a little advice or words of wisdom for ya’ll especially during these cold winter days when it can be extremely hard.
First things first, seasonal depression is REAL. I have so many friends who go through it and I have caught some of it before too. Seasonal depression is a common issue many students, especially at UO experience. The weather here can be BEAUTIFUL… but at times can also be brutal. The rain, the fog, the dark evenings, the cold… it can all take a toll on your everyday activities, social life and productivity. Literally this morning I woke up to my alarm at 10AM, looked outside at the cold, icy sky, and went back to bed. It would be a lot different if there were clear skies, with birds chirping and a sun shining through. Unfortunately, this is not reality for us Eugene students. My first hit of seasonal depression actually happened this year. My junior year in general has been a tough one so far because of how much pressure comes with it. Around this time, I have internships, applications, networking events, club meetings, job-hunting, HOMEWORK! So much more to keep up with than I ever had my freshman and sophomore year.
My mental health has taken a toll in the sense that there is so much going on relating to school, jobs and my future that my anxiety has been at an all time high. My anxiety comes in waves. I could wake up with anxiety freaking out about where I will end up in 5 years… or I could get a wave of anxiety when talking to friends about puppies. It literally hits me randomly. I hate it. There are a few things I do to handle my anxiety along with my mental health:
breathe
If I am stuck in a classroom or out at a party and it hits me, I automatically take at least 5 deep breaths. My anxiety comes in waves in the sense of I get light-headed and my heart starts to beat faster than you can say Spongebob Squarepants. Basically, my heart feels like it is going to beat out my chest and it makes it hard to breathe. By taking deep breaths, it helps me both mentally and physically to relax my nerves.
2. talk to yourself (no, seriously)
When I feel a panic attack coming on or I am in the middle of one, I talk to myself. Rather than making my attack worse, I calm in my head say things like “you’re fine”, “this will pass”, “you’re ok”. As much as I tend to sike myself out, I try just as hard to let myself know I will be okay. I will sometimes start to sing a song too! Usually a slow song in which I can try to hum along to which also slows my breathing down. Songs from Sam Smith, Adele, or Rihanna help me personally. To each its own.
3. let your friends know
I know it may seem awkward or that you’re “killing the vibe”, but if you are around friends who you know will help you and be there for you… tell them! If not, get new friends. A simple tap on the shoulder in the middle of ‘Yiken’ to tell a friend you would like to step outside and get some air is OK. I have had friends in the middle of the bars let me know they want to take a minute outside because they have a weird vibe, and I leave with them. If it were to happen to me, I would expect my friends to do the same thing! By not telling a friend about your panic attack could make things way worse. Do not risk trying to be cool. It is not worth it.
While everyone handles anxiety differently, these are my top three tips when it comes to those random waves. Look, this shit happens. We all deal with it in our own ways and that is okay. Do not feel embarrassed or ashamed of the fact that you get it. Even if medication works… there is nothing wrong with that. Friends and family of mine take medicine for anxiety and other mental illnesses and feel like because they were recommended these pills, they are not normal. This is completely false and the way you handle it is OKAY. Always know that there are people (including me) there for you and anyone else going through things. <3
If you ever wanted to talk, my email is noah.brunson11@gmail.com and my Instagram is no.aahh. <3