Welcome to our special section, Thrive on Campus, devoted to covering the urgent issue of mental health among college and university students from all angles. If you are a college student, we invite you to apply to be an Editor-at-Large, or to simply contribute (please tag your pieces ThriveOnCampus). We welcome faculty, clinicians, and graduates to contribute as well. Read more here.
Everyone has bad days. If someone tells you they’re happy every day, they are lying to you.
We are all humans. For no real reason, we get down on ourselves and our moods suffer as a result of that. I personally have a lot of those days where I get anxious and stress myself out thinking about everything I have to get done and all of the important events I have coming up. I hate that I do it to myself, but the thoughts formulate in my head and there is nothing I can do to prevent them.
But, when I’m in a funk I always know that it’ll come to an end. I know that for all of the moments I’m deep in bad thoughts, I’ll have moments of pure happiness while I live in the moment and don’t worry about any of the anxious thoughts. But, I always search for ways to be happy in the present time.
Like the great Peter Sage said on a recent interview for our podcast, “Be happy NOW.” Don’t wait for Friday to be happy or for a great test grade to come back to have your mood uplifted. Search for ways to be happy in the present with the circumstances you’re given, no matter how normal they are.
Finding a release is a tremendous method of ridding negative energy. For me, listening to music, exercising, and being around friends are my main releases. If I had a stressful day of classes and work, I know that I will have all of those things to be happy about.
Point is, every person has their ups and downs. There is nothing wrong with being down, it is something that is simply unavoidable. What is avoidable is staying down and feeling anxious or stressed. Find ways to cope with your negative thoughts, and you will live a happier, healthier life as a result.
You are not alone in your struggles, and I am sure anyone in your support system can relate to you and will be willing to help you get through your slump.
If you are going through a rough time right now, just know that the best is yet to come.
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