In previous years, THE NEST has held first semester midterms in the weeks following Winter break, giving students an extra week after their break to study and prepare for tests. However, this year marks a change in that annual schedule, with finals being pushed before Winter break to the week of Dec. 14. With stress from the COVID-19 pandemic, the early tests, and everything the holiday season entails continuing to pile up, it can be difficult to balance mental health with what is expected of us.
I think it’s important to stay as organized as possible with writing down assignment due dates and what assignments need to be completed for the day. But also bring realism. We’re going through a pandemic. The last thing on my mind is the AP Statistics homework I have due today,” said Senior, Marissa Rodriguez.
Though there are many major ways to help improve mental health, such as going to therapy or a psychiatrist, sometimes that is not a viable option, whether it be for financial or scheduling reasons. However, there are many small activities that can help to improve mental health from day to day.
Spending Time in Nature
“My best advice for when things get rough is just to go outside. You don’t have to do anything in particular, just go for a walk or sit in your yard and breathe for a bit. It really helps me when I get overwhelmed for some reason,” junior Timothy Barker said.
In 2018, an article from Harvard Medical School revealed that spending as little as 30min outside in nature every other day, without listening to music, can significantly reduce the symptoms of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. “Listening to natural sounds caused the listeners’ brain connectivity to reflect an outward-directed focus of attention, a process that occurs during wakeful rest periods like daydreaming.” (Harvard Health Publishing) Even something as simple as looking at a picture of an outdoor area you want to visit or listening to nature sounds while indoors can help.
Having Open and Honest Conversations
“Talking to friends and just telling them how I’m feeling or asking how they are — communicating feelings — has been very helpful. Me and my family — since we were all stuck together — it was very hectic for us. But my friends really helped me through everything,” junior Mikayla Menefee said.
Social distancing, though currently necessary for public safety, has caused many to feel isolated, both physically and emotionally. Before the pandemic, the spontaneity of hanging out in school or around neighborhoods lead to more natural conversations. Now, with everything being online, speaking to friends can often feel like it needs to be scheduled or have a reason other than just a simple “I miss you, let’s talk.” In terms of mental health, one of the most beneficial parts of having friends is the feeling of belonging and having someone there who accepts you for who you are. “Friendship can play a key role in helping someone live with or recover from a mental health problem and overcome the isolation that often comes with it.” (Mental Health Foundation).
Creative Outlets
“I’ve spent a lot of my time playing my guitar or my bass, especially on school days. If I ever have a minute or two, I’ll just pick one up and play it for a bit and get back to what I was doing. Sometimes I’d lose track of time and miss a class, but I’ve gotten better about that recently,” Barker said.
With semester finals coming up, it is easy to get sucked into schoolwork and forget to take time for ourselves to rest and recharge. Creative outlets are an important part of keeping a well-balanced life, as they allow us to be productive whilst doing something that is not required. Schoolwork is often overwhelming and very impersonal. The freedom of choosing to learn and improve a skill that is personal and enjoyable to you and express yourself in a way that is not regulated or rated by anyone has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression. There are thousands of free courses and books available online everywhere from sites like Skillshare to regular video sharing platforms, like Youtube.
Take the Time to Recharge
“I think it’s important to realize yes, grades are important, but that mental health is more important. Taking a couple of days to recharge and get everything together is okay; also reach out to teachers regarding this and know they’ll be understanding,” said Rodriguez.
Dealing with schoolwork, the pandemic, the holiday season, and every other major and minor stressor this year is exhausting and trying to push through that exhaustion without taking a break often leads to burnout. Though it is important to study and complete assignments, it is ok to let teachers know when you are not able to do something on time and to be honest with them about the reasons why. Taking time to get back on your feet is essential and, if you are not sure where to start, school counselors are available for help with mental health, study tips and anything you need to help you regain balance. If you feel you may need more professional and long-term mental health treatment, we have linked resources below that will help you find an affordable therapist that is right for you.
This insane couple of weeks will be hard, but I promise that there will be far more weeks. There will be far more years. There will be so much more in life than a couple months of stress. That’s what has pushed me. There’s always gonna be a rainbow after the clouds,” Menefee said.
If you feel you may need to speak to a therapist, follow this link to take Psychology Today’s mental health assessment, which will also include ways to find a specialized therapist in San Antonio who takes your insurance.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255); www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Crisis Text Line: Text REASON to 741741 (free, confidential and 24/7)
Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)
The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678678 (Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ young people under 25.)