If there’s ever a time to adapt to discomfort, it would be now, protected by the boundaries of university life. For much of my life, anxiety inhibited me from pursuing opportunities. After a break-through revelation, I came to terms on…
This question served as the go-to conversation starter as the year came to an end. I had not planned anything significant for the summer, and instead was grappling with an existential problem of sorts. Continue moving onto the next…
In honor of #letstalk, this week’s post will be about the correlation between exercise and good mental health. In my own experiences with depression, I’ve found that exercise gives me a space to focus, to care for myself, and to…
The most flagrant, and often overlooked, aspect of all relationships is that they aren’t always positive. Think about the people you love, whether they are friends or family. There are always going to be moments where they annoy you. People you love…
The biggest regret I have of my time in undergrad is not going on exchange. I'd wanted to spend a semester in Europe since high school, but doing so would've meant giving up opportunities such as donship or managing Caffiends, which I…
University can get stressful at times, and it can be difficult to stay in touch with friends, particularly with those who don't live in the city. But few things bring me more joy in life than hanging out and catching up with…
I first walked into Toronto's Planned Parenthood (PPT) when I was seventeen. I knew absolutely nothing about the services, the cost, or the procedures offered. Unsatisfied with my family doctor, I had simply looked up the address online, dragged a…
In the midst of midterms, taking a refreshing break can often be the last thing on students' minds. We may take procrastination breaks all the time -- YouTube videos, Buzzfeed, scrolling through social media -- and these are definitely valid in their own way. However, I find that more than a half hour of such activities often leaves me feeling guilty or more stressed. Instead, allotting the same amount of time for a calming, self-care activity tends to make me feel much more at ease. Here are several of my favourite ways to temporarily detach from work.
Taking a bath. One of my favourite feelings in the world is sinking into a tub of hot water. Taking a bath is a wonderful, low-commitment de-stressor because I can bring a book along and do my readings in a more relaxed atmosphere. Usually, I like to choose a fun, enjoyable novel, and since I am an English major, this works out. Sometimes, a change of environment is all it takes to refocus. In this way, I get to relax without feeling too guilty about abandoning work.
When I entered university, I was determined to take advantage of all the physical fitness resources available and undo the drastic drop in athleticism that had occurred during my teenage years. In grade six, I had found joy in doing laps at the U of T Athletic Centre pool every weekend. However, when puberty hit, and sports teams became increasingly 'exclusive', I grew self-conscious and made every effort to skip out on gym. Throughout high school, I only voluntarily participated in two sports: fencing (a one week long U of T summer camp) and archery.
This summer, I was enrolled in full-time classes. I would be on campus several days a week from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.. As a commuter, unwilling to burden myself with more heavy things to carry, I bought pasta every day for lunch. By September, I had twelve dollars left in my bank account.
It hadn't taken me long into first-year to realize that I often had to choose between healthy eating and cheap eating. Loaded with extracurriculars, my days spanned twelve hours; I would subsist off snacks, water, or cave in and buy a sandwich or pasta. When I first discovered food trucks, I had been delighted -- finally, a filling meal for under five dollars! But I soon realized that each poutine -- however cheap, hearty, and delicious -- made my body feel bloated and uncomfortable for hours afterwards.
