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Keep a wide support network. Hard work is easier when you have people cheering you on.
Whether family, friends, or close mentors, cultivate relationships with people
whom you trust, who have your best interest in mind, and who will have your
back through ups and downs.
- A few very close friends can be better than a stable of casual acquaintances.
- Spend time with friends and family, call them, talk to them, and keep them in your life. Just knowing that they are there for you will be a help.
- Be willing to reach out. Whether through talking or asking for advice, seek out support from your loved ones when you need it.
- You can also seek peer support groups to find people with common experiences and shared histories. They've "been there" before.
Keep worry at bay. There is a big difference between caring and worrying.
Caring is being invested in something, like a goal. Worrying, on the other
hand, is “an attempt to control the future by thinking about it.” One is
motivating. The other is impossible.
- Focus on what you can control. We are often faced with surprises or unforeseen events, so remind yourself that you are only human and cannot control everything.
- Encourage yourself from time to time. Anxiety is like any other feeling. You might try telling yourself this, i.e. “I feel worried, but I do things to deal with it.”
- Keep things in perspective. Avoid “catastrophic thinking” by reminding yourself of the scale of your worry. For instance, failing a class is bad but not the end of your education. Finishing last at a swim meet is disappointing but not the end of the world. You still have your health, your life, and people who love you.
Take it slow and take breaks. Know when to let up when following your goals and dreams, otherwise
you may face burnout – physical and mental exhaustion, discouragement, and
cynicism. If you are under stress, find ways to rest, relax and recharge.
- You know your mind and body best and when you might be slowing down. Make sure that your mind and body are well-rested. Otherwise, your efforts will be less effective.
- It is OK to take some time off, whether that means you’re on vacation, at yoga, out of the pool, or mentally checked out for the weekend.
Live a healthy lifestyle. Exercise and a healthy diet will keep you in good shape but
also support your mental well-being. Make sure that you living a good
lifestyle, because by keeping yourself healthy you’ll be less stressed and better
primed to achieve and focus.
- Physical exercise releases endorphins, boosts blood flow to your brain, increases your energy, and just generally improves mood. Try to get about thirty minutes of moderate exercise five times per week.
- Make sure to eat right, too. Eat regularly throughout the day to maintain your blood sugar levels and energy, including at breakfast, and include a wide variety of vegetables, fruit, and whole grains in your meals.
Know when to seek help. Almost everyone feels down or helpless at some point in
life. You aren’t alone and should know that there are resources and people
available to help. If you feel discouraged for a long period of time, or find
that low energy and depression are interfering with your life, talk to a mental
health professional.
- Depression can be mild or severe and can depend on your environment, events around you, or even on your physical makeup. Its symptoms include sadness, anxiety, feelings of emptiness or hopelessness, fatigue, and loss of interest in normal activities. It can even take the form of physical aches and pains.
- Consider talking to a counselor, a therapist, or a psychiatrist. They can help you to manage your depression with a proper treatment plan.
