Get Out Of Your Own Head: Practicing Mental Health During a Global Pandemic, Civil Rights Movement, Presidential Election and New Semester

If you took the time to read the entire headline, first, thank you. Second, how quickly did your heart rate rise when you remembered the sheer importance of the time we’re currently living in? Sure, we have all seen the memes (link to one of our favorites here) about the state of the world and can manage a laugh. But for most of us, it has been an incredibly stressful, scary and overwhelming time.

Now that we are back at school—whether you are taking on-campus classes or studying remotely—we have the added pressure of excelling in the classroom on top of everything else. We wanted to give you a few tips and tricks that can put your mind at ease, even if it’s just for a few minutes. 

1. Download the Headspace app

Meditation is one of the best things for the mind. It allows you to clear racing thoughts and become present in the moment. Headspace is a phenomenal app that has everything you need for a successful mediation session—with programs specific to anxiety, insomnia, stress-free workouts and more.

2. Binge a low stakes Netflix show

Listen, we love Criminal Minds as much as everyone else, but some of the content in crime shows is incredibly heavy. Invest some time in shows such as Glow Up (a competition between Britain’s best makeup artists) or the heartwarming Queer Eye. TV can have the wonderful effect of transporting you to another place and time. Count us in for your next binge session—we’ll bring the popcorn.

3. Walk outside

If you can do so in a safe, socially distanced way, walking is one of the best ways to clear the mind. Put on your favorite album (ours right now is Folklore by Taylor Swift) and a comfy pair of shoes, and find a scenic trail to meander down. 

4. Call a friend

This might sound cliche, but sometimes the best form of stress relief is simply talking to someone about how you feel. It can be a roommate, a friend from home, a grandparent, a sibling—any person in your life that you know will answer your calls on the first ring.