No one will Grab it for you 9/19
Why is success measured by being busy? We are so driven to attain the status that many times mental health takes a back seat. Stopping the glorification of busy and focusing on discovery of passions allows for a more productive daily existence. This article about one recent college graduate’s trials in yoga portrays this desire for balance. The student deals with the anxieties of change and contemplates the ways in which functioning is the most productive. After reading over a recent New York Times article title “Drugs, Sweat, and Fear” (August 2012) I realized an important thing about stress. Stress comes in all shapes and sizes, and even something meant to stimulate positive energy can become another stressor throughout daily activity. Diana Spechler, who is chronicling her personal experience with yoga, recounts the stress that she felt dumped on her doorstep the second she was out of college and thrown into the real world. We all are not far off from this moment in life, or can remember a similar moment. I know when I consider that moment when I finally enter the real world my heart starts to palpitate a little bit. Her story encounters the advanced form of yoga known as Bikram. This style demands a high level of focus and a Mister Miyagi degree of both mental and physical stamina.
Stressed? 9/17
Why is success measured by being busy? We are so driven to attain the status that many times mental health takes a back seat. Stopping the glorification of busy and focusing on discovery of passions allows for a more productive daily existence. This article about one recent college graduate’s trials in yoga portrays this desire for balance. The student deals with the anxieties of change and contemplates the ways in which functioning is the most productive. After reading over a recent New York Times article title “Drugs, Sweat, and Fear” (August 2012) I realized an important thing about stress. Stress comes in all shapes and sizes, and even something meant to stimulate positive energy can become another stressor throughout daily activity. Diana Spechler, who is chronicling her personal experience with yoga, recounts the stress that she felt dumped on her doorstep the second she was out of college and thrown into the real world. We all are not far off from this moment in life, or can remember a similar moment. I know when I consider that moment when I finally enter the real world my heart starts to palpitate a little bit. Her story encounters the advanced form of yoga known as Bikram. This style demands a high level of focus and a Mister Miyagi degree of both mental and physical stamina.
 |
| Typical Bikram move Source:bluestmuse.blogspot.com |
“I’d been leveled by
anxiety. My days were plagued with worry. Was I living correctly? What if I
died? What if, like in that Twilight Zone episode, the rest of the world died
and I lived? Innocuous things I said to people haunted me hours later— Was that
dumb? Mean? Wildly inappropriate?—until I’d squirm with shame.”
She internally dealt with questions that we all have
contemplated to some degree. Diana needed something to keep it together. As her
new career began she dabbled in sleeping pills and energy supplements. After
feeling even more gassed out than before Diana arrived at a Bikram yoga studio.
“The goal of the first
class was to simply stay in the room”
This goal was easier said than done since Bikram is done in
a 100 degree room. Drenched in sweat and
feeling worn down, Diana walked out feeling lighter in both body any mind. The
idea behind Bikram yoga is that if you are able to master the sequences
successfully you will need nothing else in your life like alcohol, drugs, gym,
excess food, unhealthy relationships. My mouth nearly waters at the sound of
all that personal fulfillment. Diana’s instructors shed their wisdom and she
learned countless life lessons.
“Stop responding to
discomfort by reaching for things. We scratch. We smoke. We drink. Those are
temporary solutions. Practice being still.”
“There’s one
particularly grueling posture in the Bikram series that involves balancing on
one foot, taking the other foot in your hands, and stretching that leg out in a
parallel line to the floor.”“Grab your foot,” the teacher says, and everyone
hedges. “Grab it!” one of my teachers yelled one morning…
No one’s going to grab it for you.”
No one is going to grab it for you. The aesthetics of yoga
incorporate balance in all things. Having balance allows room to appreciate
your accomplishments and overcome obstacles. There is a level of inner strength
and confidence that is cultivated through conquering your obstacles. We are
able to understand the areas in which we excel, and where we may encounter
problems. Looking at new situations as
learning experiences rather than an intimidating barrier allows for greater
piece of mind and a crisp perspective on life. This scene perfectly depicts the conflict that
many students experience throughout this time in life. All of these new experiences can start
feeling overwhelming and calling mom and dad to solve the problem starts to
look like the best idea. As challenges come we reach for things to compensate,
and search for excuses. Part of finding your life balance is being responsible
for both the good and the bad.
 |
| Source: collegehowtos.com |
Don’t let a stress reliever become a stress inducer. Being in new situations creates a level of
anxiety towards the unknown. This period in life is even more of a transition;
you are expected to take risks. Changes
are coming from all directions. Many new demands are imposed and you find
yourself caught up in a completely new way of life. If you don’t explore new possibilities you might
be remembered as the kid who could do the longest keg stand, but you also will
feel like the most exciting few years of your life passed you by.
As you encounter new obstacles find your balance and
approach them head on because no one is going to grab it for you. Consider
trying out new ways of time management or new stress relievers. If you have any
questions about Stress ask us on here or come into the office and get your
resources!
For the full New York Times article click here!
-RV
-RV
Stressed? 9/17
The question that all college
students can answer yes to is the question, are you stressed? I feel that every
student is stressed about something whether it’s academics, finances,
relationships, or work. There is so much pressure in todays world to be the
best; get the best grades, get the best internship, do the most volunteering
which is all to get you the best job once you graduate.
Stress might seem like a temporary feeling for most. I know
I’ve even caught myself saying, “I’ll relax later.” Well NEWSFLASH! There is no
later. Once you finish a paper, there is a test to study for or another
assignment that needs to get done. Life is crazy and relaxing later is not
really an option for college students, so that’s why college students need to
learn how to manage their stress because if they don’t stress can lead to
serious health problems.
In the article Stress
Takes It’s Toll On College Students it says that depression and anxiety are
the most prevalent mental health problems in college students today. Due to the
rise in depression and anxiety, suicide rates have sky rocketed. However, there
is a way to get help. In the article, it mentions www.ULifeline.org which is a website that has tips on how to deal with
mental health issues, a confidential mental health screening, and even allows
universities to register to put information on how to seek help directly on
your campus. There are resources out there to help you, so don’t ignore your
stress!
-RV
No comments:
Post a Comment