mental health n. (the psychological state of someone who is functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioral adjustment)
Mental health. Balance. We all want it. Especially in a mindful world of endless thoughts and decision-making. Especially now. I'm coming to a turning point of this internship, of my life. In 6 days I return to Chicago. SIX DAYS. And it's not so much the thought of this 8-month dietetic internship coming to an end, moreso, the mere thought of coming home. HOME. It's like making that transition as a post-grad to a job seeker all over again. Scary, nervewrecking, completely unknown and pee-in-your-pants excitement (for the lack of a more accurate explanation).
You know it's weird. Ever since I moved to Michigan, ever since I started this internship, it was like the beginning of a second life that no one really knows about. No one I already knew was able to witness it like they were able to witness it back HOME. Luckily, there were eight other interns in the same boat as me, five of them happen to be from outside of Michigan as well. Because of this, I was able to develop an inexplicable bond with each one of them. We learned from each other. We confided to each other when we didn't really feel like anyone else back HOME would understand. And it's funny, because I found HOME in them. So the thought of going back HOME after finding HOME here...it's a lot to take in. Six days between now and then just isn't enough time..
There's this quote...from one of my favorite movies of all time: GARDEN STATE, said by Andrew Largeman:
"You'll see one day when you move out it just sort of happens one day and it's gone. You feel like you can never get it back. It's like you feel homesick for a place that doesn't even exist. Maybe it's like this rite of passage, you know. You won't ever have this feeling again until you create a new idea of home for yourself, you know, for your kids, for the family you start, it's like a cycle or something. I don't know, but I miss the idea of it, you know. Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people that miss the same imaginary place."
Because I love it so much, I got the trailer just for you:
Q: So what do I do in this state of mental mayhem?
A: Monica's Top 10 Self-Care Tips to Reduce Stress (Source: CMU Counseling Services)
- Recognize the problem
- Gain control where you can
- Spend quiet time alone each day
- Take new risks
- Reduce or eliminate caffeine consumption
- Keep a journal
- Make a "To Do" list and cross items off when completed
- Sing out loud
- Have realistic expectations
- Don't over-schedule yourself
First stop: road trip to Canada, 4th of July weekend.
1 comments:
good self care tips to relieve stress. i would add working out into that. glad you're coming back!
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