Overwhelmed? #RELATEABLE

Aaniin, hope you’ve all been well! We’re halfway through the academic year, and I don’t know about you, but the days seem to just be getting busier. As students, we find ourselves struggling to find a balance between school, work, a social life WHILE also making the time to care for ourselves. It’s not hard to find yourself feeling lost—but, with some work you can begin to take control of your life again. I’ve picked up a few tricks that I use to cope when I’m feeling overwhelmed, and I’d like to share them with you!

Be Leaf in Yourself! Caring for Houseplants.

Adding some greenery into your space can really impact your mood in a positive way! Taking some time out of my day to care for my houseplants has a calming effect and helps to take me out of my head when I'm feeling overwhelmed. Indoor plants have proven benefits that not only clean the air around you, but can also reduce any stress.

Just Let Me Bead!

I've spoken before about beading as medicine- I've found it to be a nice way to relax and get out of my head when the stress feels almost too much to handle. Sometimes I'll sit on the couch and listen to music or watch a comedic show which won't stress me out (i.e. Schitt's Creek, Avatar the Last Airbender, Pushing Daisies etc.). Even if you've never beaded before, it's super easy to pick up and I've found a sense of accomplishment in seeing my progress since I first began.

Spend Quali-tea Time with Yourself!

Taking the time to unwind with a cup of tea during the day is something I like to do often. I've started writing little reflections at the end of each week and making the time to practise mindfulness. Dabbing a little lavender oil behind the ears while I enjoy a hot cup of tea is a great way to calm me down and pull me out of head if I'm being to feel too overwhelmed. Checking in with my senses for a moment can sometimes help calm me out of any anxiety I may be feeling.

For When Things Really Sock...

For days that are exceptionally hard, sorting through socks is a great go-to. Taking the time to go through socks and match them up with their little pair is something I do often when I'm feeling overwhelmed. It helps if you have difficulty keeping them organized as it is, I feel like socks are always going missing and sorting through them leaves me feeling accomplished when I've finished.

Smudging

Smudging is a ceremony that I practise regularly. Many Indigenous communities hold distinct beliefs and protocols to follow with regards to smudging, and I'm still learning myself. It is important to address your health if you're feeling overwhelmed, please be kind to yourself and listen to your body! It's hard being a student, but there are many of things that you can do to help yourself and these are just a couple of tricks that I've picked up along the way. If you think you or someone you know is experiencing difficulty, having thoughts or feelings that are hard to cope with, and it's impacting day-to-day life please reach out! Student Life: links to Health & Wellness resources can be found here.