by: Camila Echevarria
Being a student is not easy. Classes, uncertainty about the future, distance from home, competitiveness, and constant comparison can feel overwhelming—perhaps even unmanageable. Even though Parents’ Weekend (October 29 to November 1) can be an enjoyable time to celebrate with loved ones, it can also be a time to navigate the challenges of familial and/or distant relationships.
And suffering is normal. Not always being okay is part of life. We’re not robots built to be happy and smiling 24/7. But what is important is to learn how to recover from these moments and let them make us even stronger.
Sometimes, the most difficult thing is recognizing that you don’t feel okay. We sometimes try to avoid or downplay our feelings, hoping they will eventually go away. But recognizing how we feel is the first necessary step toward recovery, allowing us to start working on strategies to feel better.
After recognizing our emotions, let them flow! Allow yourself to cry or stay in bed when necessary. Resting will help you reset and give you the energy to recover.
With this newfound energy, we can take action to overcome these hard times and start feeling better.
Therefore, here are some ideas for things you can do to feel better, both physically and emotionally, on days when things don’t seem to go well.
Heal Physically: Your Body Is Your Permanent Home
Just like your soul, you only have one body, and it will stay with you for the rest of your life. Therefore, you must take care of it.
Move your body: Moving helps improve blood circulation and keeps our muscles and bones healthy. It can also put us in a better mood. So, whenever you feel anxious, stressed, sad, or angry, get moving! Walking around campus, going to the gym, or simply taking the stairs may help you feel a little better.
Eat well: Food is fuel. But this fuel must be healthy, balanced, and sufficient to allow us to study and live well. Include enough protein and vegetables in your meals. And of course, part of balance is enjoying a sweet treat here and there as well!
Get enough sleep: Being busy might make this step a little difficult, but it is important to get enough sleep each night. Getting sufficient rest allows us to think more clearly and face daily challenges more effectively. Even a short nap can help us see a problem as less severe. The Sleep Foundation shared the power of a NAPA nap – a 26-minute nap – to recharge your brain and energy.
Don’t forget to breathe: Especially on busy and intense days, we sometimes forget to breathe properly. So, from time to time, take a break from your tasks and give yourself a moment to pause. Inhale deeply, hold your breath for eight seconds, and exhale slowly. Repeat this a couple of times before returning to your day.
Heal Emotionally: Work With and Not Against Your Brain
Talk to your friends: Sharing your feelings with someone you trust can be extremely helpful. Expressing your thoughts can help you reflect on them more clearly, and your friends may have valuable advice to offer. And if you don't feel like talking about your feelings yet, a quick chat or a laugh with them can help distract you from your inner struggles.
Ask for help: You don’t have to deal with your difficulties alone. Asking for help and recognizing that we need additional support are brave acts. Calling your loved ones and telling them how you feel can be a good idea, as their life experience may offer you a different perspective. Even more importantly, consider seeking mental health support. Therapy sessions, workshops, and psychiatric services are some resources you can explore.
Watch a movie, read a book, or do nothing: Yes, resting and enjoying leisure activities are perfectly fine and just as necessary as fulfilling our responsibilities. Our brains need to disconnect from school, work, and difficulties from time to time.
Being young, trying to figure it out and dealing with responsibilities is not easy. Instead of fixing everything at once, try these small steps to feel better, both physically and emotionally. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Try and figure out what works best for you!
Do You Need Extra Help? USC Student Health Is Here to Support You!
Here are some resources you can rely on:
USC Student Health Contact Center: Available 24/7 at 213-740-9355 (WELL) to help connect you with the appropriate service or resource.
MySHR: More than just a way to schedule medical appointments, MySHR allows students to send secure messages, access medical information, and find available counseling groups, workshops, and Let’s Talk sessions.
Medical Care and the Advice Nurse: USC Student Health provides primary care, illness and injury visits, immunizations, sexual and reproductive health services, and other medical care. Log in to MySHR to view available appointment times.
Counseling and Mental Health: Offers individual counseling, groups, psychiatry, and crisis support.
Therapy Plus: Includes additional mental health tools for USC students, including resources for building connections, text-based support, and teletherapy.
Counseling Groups and Workshops: Groups and skills-based workshops on topics such as anxiety, social confidence, focus, emotional regulation, and self-esteem. Visit the Workshops/Groups section in MySHR.
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