CampusIntel

I don’t know what it was, but today I woke up and felt like I was coming out of a coma in a TERRIBLY bad mood. I am talking funk of 2010!

Then I realized that a lot of people probably feel this way at some time or another… So I decided to give some ways that would make the funk easier, if not go away altogether.

Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, I give you….

Alix’s Guide to Learning How to Smile When You are in a Funk!

First of all, we should realize that there are two different categories:

1. Making yourself feel better with others and,
2. Making yourself feel better individually.

If you are trying to make yourself feel better with others, try doing something easy, a board game, call up a long-lost best friend, or even just going for a stroll and a chat. Better yet, have stories that will make you smile, a smile goes a long way towards cheering you up.  The littlest things make life so much better and you just don’t realize it.

 Making yourself feel better individually is probably where most of you will end up. If you are like me this mood seems crippling, it almost physically hurts and makes you want to cry.

But don’t worry, if this only happens once in a blue moon, then it’s just a funk, and even better, there are ways of overcoming it.

Here are a few things I would recommend:

1. Exercise: exercise releases endorphins and it truly will give you a lift. That little lift can brighten your day so much!

2. Smile: I realize I said this one before but there have been studies (done by professionals not just by me) where they say when you smile if you are upset, it is more likely you cannot stay upset then if you don’t even try to smile. Read a joke book, go through pictures, or even think of funny moments that have happened recently.

3. You Time: What do you like to do by yourself? I personally like curling up with a non-school related book and maybe even take the “tea test” (make a cup of tea, if your book is really good by the time you go to have a sip your tea has turned cold).

4. Go watch America’s Funniest Home Videos… seriously there is one where a chicken fights a kangaroo, I mean come on, when you read that last sentence, tell me it didn’t make you crack a smile (and that’s right smiles are good!)

As a student in my 4^th year of university, I know what this time of year can do to someone – the school work starts piling up, the teachers start ragging on you, and the winter weather is still bringing you down (although it has been sunnier than normal lately…). Basically, they are all the perfect combination to put you in a funk.

But just remember, you are allowed to feel this way, just follow my few steps, and soon you’ll be on your way to a speedy recovery!

Best of luck everyone!

Throughout my life I’ve wondered many things (my brain never stops thinking), but one of the most prominent things that pops up is, “What if we had our own restart button.” Now I know you may think I sound nuts, but I’ve analyzed this frequently (to the fact that I wished that the button would be our belly button!), and have come to some interesting conclusions.

I am sure none of us students can disagree with the fact that, at some point in our lives, we wished we go back to the beginning of something and start over. This could be pertaining to the relationship that you recently found out would end; the paths you didn’t take in terms of education or work experience; or even those times when you wish you could go back to Friday, and maybe, just maybe, get some work done throughout the weekend this time.

Sometimes though, I know, the whole aspect of starting over scares us.

As I write this blog I frequently delete words here and there. But I don’t start over. I merely push CTRL and Z on my keyboard (or Edit -> Undo), and simply undo and get back on track. Could life function that way? Could I magically now hit my bellybutton (much like those two buttons on my keyboard) and get back on the path I am supposed to be on?

The unfortunate thing is that I realize we can’t go back to the beginning of our lives and relive our obsessions with Barbie and Tonka trucks… but wouldn’t that make life so much simpler? I’ve found out the hard way that skinned knees are a lot easier to heal than broken hearts. I still don’t know what I was thinking when I was 13, claiming that I could not wait to get older and have more responsibility.

I just feel that life doesn’t prepare you for the many paths out there. I feel that you only find out about the shortcut after you climbed 62,532 stairs, swam 24353 kilometers, and hiked 3,200 mountains. I did not know that there were other paths to education (guidance counselor gave me two options… Arts or Science) nor did I realize that there was other ways of getting to my final destination (what that is… I still don’t know).

So with that in mind, I shall continue to think about my “restart” button and my “undo” button… and finally realize why Staples’ Easy button may just be the way to go…

So, right now I find myself in a situation where I’m (as my boyfriend likes to point out) ‘burning the candle at both ends’ (meaning I’m doing so much that I’m bound to burn out fast). This being said I’m much happier with things to do, but they do admittedly get a little overwhelming sometimes and I often feel the need to invest in a punching bag around say exam times….So, with these overwhelming thoughts in mind along with a recent class discussion on stress I thought it would be an appropriate time to sit back, relax and write about stress…and how to deal with it if you’re a student.

1. Expect and accept that stress is going to be a part of your life: Ok so it’s unreasonable to think that you can avoid stress altogether. No matter who you are you’re going to be in situations that cause you stress. This is especially true for students as they deal with a lot of competition, deadlines and pressures in classes, studies, life goals and work. It’s an important time in our lives undoubtedly so really…if there aren’t stressful situations in your life it might actually be cause for concern. A little stress can be good if dealt with and used correctly (honestly! It can help you develop resilience, help you grow as a person or develop new skills or strengths and definitely help you to develop coping mechanisms).

2. Manage your time effectively/organize yourself: Often times I find myself making little mental notes of things I need to do…sometimes simple things like reply to emails, schedule a hair appointment, start that assignment, etc. When I’m making these mental notes, I think I’ll remember them before it’s too late…The problem is, even if you’re making note of little things they’re bound to add up and become a LOT of little things you’ve forgotten to do (or things you’ve forgotten altogether) and this can cause stress. So, make lists…I don’t mean you’re your room with thousands of little sticky-notes. I mean make one or two list(s) of the things you have deadlines for (maybe one for school and one for daily life), and note when things need to be done and when you want to do them (i.e. goals for the weekend). Another thing you can do is use a calendar and write due dates and when you need to do what (i.e. read 2 chapters Sat)…this being said…if you DO use a calendar, make sure you actually look at it. Also, make sure you’re not scheduling too much in short periods of time.

3. Know how to deal with stress when it arises: Here’s what I took from that lecture the other day. An optimistic individual will often live a less stressful life than a pessimist as they usually see stressful or unfortunate events as opportunities. They take the time to assess the situation and often determine it to be something that they can grow from and NOT something that happened to them because they ‘deserved’ it or something that is impossible to get over or that is destructive to all aspects of their life. This being said, my advice is, when you know you’re going to encounter a stressful situation: first, step back and assess the situation as a way to grow. Second, collect the resources you need to overcome it (ex: for an exam, go to class, take notes, read the chapters, give yourself time to do this all and create a study schedule so you’re ready for the exam when it comes). Third, if the outcome is bad, try and see it as a learning experience and something to work on and grow from and not as the end of the world. If the outcome is good…then celebrate!

4: Expect the unexpected: when things come up that you haven’t planned for (such as, an assignment you forgot was due, you’re called into work on short notice, the people in the apartment above you are having a loud party when you’re studying, etc.) you’re bound to get stressed, just remember to take a deep breath (maybe scream into a pillow or punch a punching bag to let it all out) then collect yourself and follow the steps just like any expected stressor. If you deal with an unexpected stressor the same way you deal with an expected one you’ll be fine.

5. Make time for yourself: Finally, with all the hassle of things to do, you’re bound to find yourself losing hold of your social life…now before you’re known as the friend M.I.A. step back and see if you’re making time for yourself. By this I mean, make time just to chill out for a bit. It doesn’t have to be anything extensive or often or for a long period of time, but make sure you do take breaks or you WILL burn out (believe me…take this advice from a fellow burning candle).

Did you know that one of the easiest ways to relieve stress is through baking?

For that reason watch this video blog to find out how to make a very delicious stress reliever!

Enjoy!