Everything Is Awful and Iâm Not Okay: Questions to ask before giving up! By: Emily Diemert
Are you hydrated? If not, have a glass of water.
Have you eaten in the past three hours? Â If not, get some food â there are healthy study snacks such as apples and granola bars available in the kitchen for when you need a boost. You can also request a food package from Laurierâs Food Bank if you are too stressed to buy groceries or feeling financially insecure.
http://yourstudentsunion.ca/food-bank/
Have you showered in the past day? Â If not, think about going home to take a shower to help recharge your batteries. Even splashing your face with cool water can help you feel refreshed.
If nighttime: are you sleepy and fatigued but resisting going to sleep? Â Feel free to grab a pillow and blanket in the ASC living room and take a nap. Make yourself cozy and plan to close your eyes for fifteen minutes â no electronic screens allowed. Â If youâre still feeling tired it might be time to call it a day and head home. If itâs late and youâd like some company then consider calling FOOT Patrol for a walk home (519 â 886 â 3668). They operate from Sunday â Saturday 6:30PM â 3:00AM.
http://yourstudentsunion.ca/foot-patrol/
Have you stretched your legs in the past day? Â If not, do so right now. Â If you donât have the time for a run or trip to the gym, just walk around the block, then keep walking as long as you please. Â If the weatherâs crap, do some laps through buildings on campus just to get your blood pumping. Youâll be surprised how much changing your scenery can do.
Have you said something nice to someone in the past day? Â Do so, whether online or in person. Â Make it genuine; wait until you see something really wonderful about someone, and tell them about it.
Have you moved your body to music in the past day? Â If not, do so â have a dance party! You may find that people want to join you too. Just dancing around the room for the length of your favourite song may help put a smile on your face.
Have you hugged a living being in the past two days?  If not, do so.  Donât be afraid to ask for hugs from friends, friendsâ pets, or even the ASC staff â youâre not imposing on them and youâll find that they will want to offer their support to you when you need it most. Who knows, they might need it just as much as you do!
Do you feel ineffective? Â Pause right now and get something small completed, whether itâs responding to an e-mail, finishing a short reading, organizing your pencil case â you name it. Good job!
Do you feel unattractive?
Take a darn selfie. Â Your friends will remind you how great you look, and youâll fight societyâs restrictions on what beauty can look like. Youâre fabulous and donât forget it.
Do you feel paralyzed by indecision? Â Give yourself ten minutes to sit back and figure out a game plan for the rest of your day/study period. Â If a particular decision or problem is still being a roadblock, simply set it aside for now, and pick something else that seems doable. Â Right now, the important part is to break through that hesitancy, even if it means doing something trivial.
Have you seen a therapist in the past few days? Â If not, hang on until your next therapy visit and talk through things then. If you havenât seen a therapist before and think it could be helpful then contact the Wellness Centre to book an appointment (519 â 884 â 0710 x3146 or [email protected]). If youâre uncertain about contacting these services on your own then talk to Melissa about accessing on-campus services including finding a counsellor that is right for you.
http://www.wlu.ca/wellness/mental-health.html
Have you been over-exerting yourself lately â physically, emotionally, socially, or intellectually? Â That can take a toll that lingers for days. Give yourself a break in that area, whether itâs physical rest, taking time alone, or relaxing with some silly entertainment.
Have you changed any of your medications in the past couple of weeks, including skipped doses or a change in generic prescription brand? Â That may be screwing with your head. Â Give things a few days, then talk to your doctor if it doesnât settle down.
Have you waited a week? Â Sometimes our perception of life is skewed, and we canât even tell that weâre not thinking clearly, and thereâs no obvious external cause. Â It happens. Â Keep yourself going for a full week, whatever it takes, and see if you still feel the same way then.
Youâve made it this far, and you will make it through.
You are stronger than you think and we are rooting for you!
Original Link: http://eponis.tumblr.com/post/113798088670/everything-is-awful-and-im-not-okay-questions-to