Stress and the School Session

Bad days are inevitable. They happen to everyone from the President to a new born baby. Stress can be confusing because sometimes it is good. Yeah, I know, right? Good stress?

First off, we have stress to keep us safe. Our body produces an extra amount of adrenaline during certain times to trigger our fight/flight/freeze response.That was great as we were evolving and we needed to make split second decisions to avoid death. Now, however, our body may trigger those responses when we have a big test, or the cute girl from across the office is smiling at you. It can become overwhelming when your body considers everything a threat. This is the essence of anxiety.

Now, there is good anxiety that's allowed humans to excel in difficult tasks. Anxiety can occur when planning a wedding order or buying a house, and it is completely normal. For those with an anxiety disorder, like me, anxiety occurs when walking in to my home, when I suddenly fear a robber is waiting for me.

With school starting again, even those without anxiety disorders find themselves suffering from increased anxiety. Everything from the difficulty of three courses to the personalities of the teachers triggers a fear response. Because I understand, I'm gonna suggest a few things that may help you to balance the inevitable stress with ways to keep yourself healthy so you don't lose control.

1) Take deep breathes before, during, and after stressful situations. Taking a deep breath allows more oxygen to enter your brain, allowing you to consider every option, and calming your anxiety responses.

2) Do something kind for yourself. This may be taking a bath, or taking a hike. Do something that feels good, for no other reason than it feels good.

3) All things in moderation. You don't want to sit and study for 8 hours and find yourself completely drained. Nor do you want to play a video game for 8 hours when you've got an essay due in the morning that you've yet to begin. Find your balance. Studies suggest taking a short break every 20 minutes, and a longer break every few hours.

4) Find little things that make you smile. I have a sparkly binder, a pen whose eyes pop out, and a lizard pen pouch that looks adorable. Little things that help me function when I'm studying.

5) If you find yourself feeling more anxiety than you can handle, seek out help. Many schools offer counseling services. Almost all insurance plans, including Medi-Cal/Medic-Aid/Medi-Care offer mental health services. If you are a minor, there are still privacy laws in place so that your parents do not have to know, if that is a concern (there are limitations to privacy, regardless of your age).

Do you have those to deal with your stress? Let us know!

Take care of you!

-Nikki

Stability

Stability is an often elusive goal that many with mental illness struggle to obtain. I've struggled to achieve stability for most of my life. Today, I find myself wondering if I will ever find my stability.

In order to assist in achieving stability, I see doctors and therapists every week. We discuss coping skills, medications, and harm reduction.  I forced myself to be completely honest, truly authentic, no matter how hard it may be.

Part of my path to stability has involved forming a support network filled with people I can trust to tell me when I'm falling into old patterns or dangerous situations. This has included family, friends, and medical professionals.

As a person who has struggled to find this happy place filled with consistency, I have a bit of advice for the people searching for their own version of stability.

1) Find help. Having a mental illness is difficult, but there is nothing to be ashamed of. Seek out a therapist, a social worker, a friend, or anyone you can trust.

2) You may not immediately find the type of assistance you need, but that is okay. Try again. Call your local mental health hotline and ask for referrals.

3) Be honest about your struggles. Do you feel sad? Anxious? Are you thinking about dying? Hurting yourself? Is it something different? Maybe something you don't quite understand? It's okay, there is help.

Personally, some days feel more stable than others. Even people without a mental illness have bad days. It's just that for some, these bad days seem more oppressive. In the wake of these negative feelings, remembering the good times becomes nearly impossible. Still, there are good times, we can remember, and we can survive. The negativity, depression, anxiety, and pain, does not need to swallow us.

Do something nice for yourself and remember, this doesn't have you be the end.

Take care of you,

-Nikki