Hello, I'm Flower.
Internships, applying for graduate school, finding a job, losing weight... It feels like there are so many things going on. These things are like one big stone after another, weighing on us, making it hard to breathe. It's clear that you've been working hard for a long time, and even though summer vacation is here, you're still worried and afraid to rest. You're really tired! It makes me feel sad for you. You need to take care of yourself. At the same time, having these concerns also shows that we are responsible for our own lives and are full of consideration.
It's not enough to just understand our emotions; we also need to release them.
"I feel like I've had some pretty serious mental health issues over the past six months. For the first two months, I was studying from morning to night every day, and I was feeling pretty anxious and irritable every day. But because of the pressure of my studies, I guess these emotions seem understandable."
It's clear that the questioner is feeling anxious and irritable because of the pressure of schoolwork. But he also has to find reasons for his emotions. The thing is, we can be anxious, irritable, and unhappy.
It seems like the questioner has identified the root cause of his emotions, understood them, and then suppressed them.
Psychological conflicts are expressed through language, behavior, emotions, and the body. If we think of our emotions as a glass of soda, stress is like the Mentos candies in the glass. When stress builds up and emotions aren't released, it's like the Mentos candies are reacting with the soda. One day, it might explode with a loud pop.
It's not just about understanding our emotions, but also about releasing them. When you're unhappy, it's okay to cry. If you don't want to study, take a break. If you have a lot of worries, write them down or talk to someone about them. It'll feel much better to get it off your chest. If you can express it in words, there's no need to express it in other ways.
It's important to reduce your stress and try to relax. You can do this by going jogging or playing sports, watching some relaxing movies, listening to light music, singing, going to see the sights, growing small plants, and just feeling alive. Believe in yourself, you can do it.
It might feel like you're on vacation, but your mind also needs a break.
"I recently had some vacation time and thought I'd be happy every day, but I wasn't. I was still anxious and irritable. I started worrying about finding a job, an internship, and a graduate school, as well as losing weight. I wanted to go on a trip to relax, but since I didn't solve the work problem, I probably wouldn't be able to have a good time."
If you don't do anything today, what will happen? Maybe the summer vacation is telling us that we need some rest. The things that make you anxious and irritable can't be solved in a short time.
There are so many things on our minds. If we don't solve them today, we won't rest. If we don't solve them tomorrow, we won't rest. So when will we ever rest? Maybe if we change our thinking, there are so many things to do, and we can't finish them all at once, we should give ourselves some opportunities to combine work with rest.
It's important to get enough rest to help you recharge and feel ready for the next day. We can all benefit from allowing ourselves more rest time, and time to relax with peace of mind. Why not give it a try? First, put aside the things on your hands and in your heart, and have a good time. After all, you have been working hard for a semester, so you deserve a vacation.
We have to focus on the present.
"I haven't been happy for a while. There's always something to worry about. I don't know how to find joy in life. I think it's my mentality, but I don't know how to fix it."
First, get things in order.
If we dwell on things that worry us, we keep thinking about them over and over again, and the more we think about them, the more stressed we become. We can experience irritability and anxiety. Try writing these things down and sorting them out: travel, losing weight, applying for postgraduate studies, internships, jobs. After listing the things one by one, divide them into important and urgent, urgent and not important, not urgent and important, and not urgent and not important.
You can break down the deadlines, which might involve juggling multiple tasks at once, but you can also tackle them one step at a time. For instance, you could take a trip first, and then focus on losing weight, which requires daily dedication.
Think about every issue and what solutions there are. Look at it from different angles and channels.
Next, make a list of plans.
Make a summer plan at your own pace and list what you plan to do. The plan doesn't need to be too strict; you should give yourself some room to breathe. If it's within your capabilities, you can try to achieve the plan with hard work. For example, today you only do a small part of the application for graduate school, tomorrow you prepare for an internship, and the day after tomorrow you organize a certain channel for work. You can do one thing for several consecutive days or different things every day. Do it according to your own feelings; you can do it however you feel most comfortable.
Don't forget to set aside time for relaxation and rest!
③ Don't rush.
And don't rush things. Not every issue is a big deal. Since they won't all get solved right away, it's better to take your time and work through them one by one. I think this is all about growth and learning.
④ Live in the moment
For instance, you could try mindfulness eating during meals. When you eat, just eat, don't read or check your phone, just look at the food, feel its color, aroma, and taste, and experience the wonderfulness of food. For example, when you are relaxing and having fun, smile and let the happy experience linger a little longer, telling yourself that the happy feelings at this time are really great. You could also try to record three happy little things every day, even if it's the sound of birds chirping outside the window or waking up to see the bright sunshine. Put your experiences and feelings in the present moment and feel the beauty in the details of life, and you will discover happiness.
Get help from others.
If the psychological center of the summer school has online or offline duty, you can reach out to the teachers there to talk about your stress. You can also chat with a counselor, an older student, or a friend or family member you trust. You can also find a professional teacher on the Yixinli platform to chat with. Sometimes, just talking about it makes a big difference.
You might also want to check out books on "Zero Stress Life" and "Stress Management."
I hope this helps answer the question. Best of luck!
Comments
I can totally relate to how overwhelming everything feels right now. It sounds like you've been pushing yourself really hard, and it's understandable that even during vacation, your mind is still racing with concerns. Maybe taking small steps towards addressing one worry at a time could help ease the anxiety. Also, talking to someone who understands or a professional might provide some relief and guidance.
It seems like you're carrying a lot of weight on your shoulders. The pressure to succeed in so many areas of life can be suffocating. Sometimes, just acknowledging that it's okay not to have everything figured out can make a difference. Perhaps setting realistic goals and allowing yourself grace could bring back some joy. Remember, it's alright to take breaks and prioritize your mental health.
You mentioned not feeling truly happy for a long time, and I'm sorry you're going through this. It's important to recognize that it's okay to feel this way and seek support. Engaging in activities that used to bring you joy or trying something new might help shift your mindset. Also, consider speaking to a therapist; they can offer strategies to manage these feelings more effectively.
It sounds like you've been under immense pressure, and it's affecting your ability to relax and enjoy life. It's crucial to address the root causes of your stress. Maybe exploring what brings you peace and incorporating that into your routine could start shifting things. Seeking professional advice might also provide tools to cope with these overwhelming emotions and help you find your way back to enjoying life.